Global Tectonics
At the Nevada Geodetic Laboratory we investigate the deformation of the Earth at
different temporal and spatial scales. Some of the most obvious and spectacular
deformation arises from the motion of tectonic plates. The zones between plates
are narrow in most oceanic areas, but can be hundred to thousands kilometer wide
in some continents, such as within central Asia or the western United States.
In these plate boundary zones the ever-continuing relative motion of the adjacent
plates creates astonishing landscapes through a variety of tectonic processes.
One of these processes are earthquakes. By quantifying the deformation within the
plate boundary zones, we not only hope to provide important information to seismic
hazard studies, but we also aim to understand the complex interaction of forces
that can explain the various seismological, geophysical, and (especially) geodetic
observations.
Relevant publications:
- Holt, W.E., C. Kreemer, A.J. Haines, L. Estey, C. Meertens, G. Blewitt, and D. Lavallée
Project helps constrain continental dynamics and seismic hazards
EOS Transactions AGU, Vol. 86, p. 383,387, 2005.
PDF
- Le Pichon, X., C. Kreemer, and N. Chamot-Rooke,
Asymmetry in elastic properties and the evolution of large continental strike-slip faults
Journal of Geophysical Research, 110, B03405, doi:10.1029/2004JB003343, 2005.
PDF
- Kreemer, C. , N. Chamot-Rooke, and X. Le Pichon
Constraints on the evolution and vertical coherency of deformation in the Northern Aegean
from a comparison of geodetic, geologic, and seismologic data
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 225, 329-346, 2004
PDF
- Kreemer, C. and N. Chamot-Rooke
Contemporary kinematics of the southern Aegean and the Mediterranean Ridge
Geophysical Journal International, 157, 1377-1392, 2004
PDF
- Hammond, W.C. and D. R. Toomey
Seismic velocity anisotropy and heterogeneity beneath the Mantle Electromagnetic and Tomography Experiment
(MELT) region of the East Pacific Rise from analysis of P and S body waves
Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 108, No. B4, 2176, doi:10.1029/2002JB001789, 2003
PDF
- Kreemer, C. , W.E. Holt, and A.J. Haines
An integrated global model of present-day plate motions and plate boundary deformation,
Geophysical Journal International, 154, 8-34, 2003
PDF
- Kreemer, C. , W.E. Holt, and A.J. Haines
The global moment rate distribution within plate boundary zones
in Plate Boundary Zones, eds. S. Stein and J.T. Freymueller, Geodynamics Series, 30, 10/1029/030GD10, AGU, Washington DC, 2002
Abstract
- Kreemer, C. and W.E. Holt
What caused the March 25, 1998 Antarctic plate earthquake?; inferences from regional stress and strain rate fields
Geophysical Research Letters, 27 , 2297-2300, 2000
PDF
- Kreemer, C. , W.E. Holt, S. Goes, and R. Govers
Active deformation in eastern Indonesia and the Philippines from GPS and seismicity data
Journal of Geophysical Research, 105, 663-680, 2000
PDF
- Ambrosius, B., G. Beutler, G. Blewitt, and R.E. Neilan
The Role of GPS in the WEGENER Project
Journal of Geodynamics, Vol. 25, p. 213-240, 1998
PDF
- Kreemer, C. , R. Govers, K.P. Furlong, and W.E. Holt
Plate boundary deformation between the Pacific and North America in the Explorer region
Tectonophysics, 293, 225-238, 1998
PDF
- Plag, H.-P., B. Ambrosius, T. Baker, G. Beutler. G. Bianco,
G. Blewitt, C. Boucher, J. Davis, J. Degnan, J. Johansson,
H.-G. Kahle, I. Kumkova, I. Marson, St. Mueller, E. Pavlis,
B. Richter, W. Spakman, S. K. Tatevian, P. Tomasi, P. Wilson, S. Zerbini
Scientific Objectives of Current and Future WEGENER Activities
Tectonophysics, Vol. 294, p. 117-223, 1998
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- D. R. Toomey, W. S. D. Wilcock, S. C. Solomon, W. C. Hammond and J. A. Orcutt
Mantle Seismic Structure Beneath the MELT Region of the East Pacific Rise from P and S Wave Tomography
Science, 280, pp. 1,224-1,227, 1998
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