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New constraints on current deformation in Asia from continuous GPS measurements at Ulan Baatar, Mongolia
Author(s) -
Calais Eric,
Amarjargal Sharavyn
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl005444
Subject(s) - geology , global positioning system , subduction , china , deformation (meteorology) , azimuth , geodesy , block (permutation group theory) , seismology , east asia , collision , tectonics , geography , geometry , oceanography , telecommunications , computer science , mathematics , computer security , archaeology
On the basis of 3 years of continuous GPS measurements (1995–1998) show a velocity of 6.4±1.6 mm/yr in a N125±30° azimuth with respect to Eurasia at a permanent site in Ulan Baatar, Mongolia. Together with recent GPS results in Asia, this result indicates motion of the Amurian/North China block at 6–10 mm/yr to the east to southeast relative to Eurasia, 0 to 5mm/yr slower than south China (10–11 mm/yr eastward). The small differential motion between these two blocks is in agreement with deformation models of Asia where crustal thickening dominates lateral extrusion. The fact that the velocity of the Amurian/North China block is significantly faster than the predictions of models based on the hypothesis that deformation in Asia is enterely driven by the India/Eurasia collision suggests that other mechanisms, such as far‐field effects of subduction processes and gravitational forces could significantly contribute to intracontinental deformation.