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A kinematic model for the East African Rift
Author(s) -
Stamps D. Sarah,
Calais Eric,
Saria Elifuraha,
Hartnady Chris,
Nocquet JeanMathieu,
Ebinger Cynthia J.,
Fernandes Rui M.
Publication year - 2008
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 - 10.1029/2007gl032781
Subject(s) - east african rift , rift , geology , seismology , kinematics , lithosphere , geodetic datum , ridge , global positioning system , transform fault , fault (geology) , geodesy , paleontology , tectonics , telecommunications , physics , classical mechanics , computer science
The kinematics of the East African Rift (EAR) is the least well‐known of all major plate boundaries. Here, we show that present‐day data (a GPS+DORIS geodetic solution and earthquake slip vectors) are consistent with 3.2 Myr‐average spreading rates and transform‐fault azimuths along the Southwest Indian Ridge and support a kinematic model that includes three subplates (Victoria, Rovuma, and Lwandle) between Nubia and Somalia. Continental rifting in the EAR appears to involve localized strain along narrow rift structures that isolate large lithospheric blocks.