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:
- Bird, P., C. Kreemer, and W.E. Holt, 2010. A long-term forecast of shallow seismicity based on the global strain rate map. Seismological Research Letters, Vol. 81, p. 184-194.
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- Kreemer, C., 2009. Absolute plate motions constrained by shear wave splitting orientations with implications for hotspot motions and mantle flow Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 114, B10405, doi:10.1029/2009JB006416.
article, auxiliary table, and link to high-resolution velocity model.
- Holt, W.E., C. Kreemer, A.J. Haines, L. Estey, C. Meertens, G. Blewitt, and D. Lavalleé, 2005. Project helps constrain continental dynamics and seismic hazards. EOS Transactions AGU, Vol. 86, p. 383,387.
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- Le Pichon, X., C. Kreemer, and N. Chamot-Rooke, 2005. Asymmetry in elastic properties and the evolution of large continental strike-slip faults, Journal of Geophysical Research, 110, B03405, doi:10.1029/2004JB003343.
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- Kreemer, C. , N. Chamot-Rooke, and X. Le Pichon, 2004. 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.
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- Kreemer, C. and N. Chamot-Rooke, 2004. Contemporary kinematics of the southern Aegean and the Mediterranean Ridge, Geophysical Journal International, 157, 1377-1392.
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- Hammond, W.C. and D. R. Toomey, 2003. 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, 108, No. B4, 2176, doi:10.1029/2002JB001789.
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- Kreemer, C. , W.E. Holt, and A.J. Haines, 2003. An integrated global model of present-day plate motions and plate boundary deformation. Geophysical Journal International, 154, 8-34.
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- Kreemer, C. , W.E. Holt, and A.J. Haines, 2002. The global moment rate distribution within plate boundary zones. In S. Stein and J.T. Freymueller (eds.): Plate Boundary Zones, Geodynamics Series, Vol. 30, 10/1029/030GD10, AGU, Washington DC.
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- Kreemer, C. and W.E. Holt, 2000. What caused the March 25, 1998 Antarctic plate earthquake? Inferences from regional stress and strain rate fields. Geophysical Research Letters, 27, 2297-2300.
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- Kreemer, C. , W.E. Holt, S. Goes, and R. Govers, 2000. Active deformation in eastern Indonesia and the Philippines from GPS and seismicity data, Journal of Geophysical Research, 105, 663-680.
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- Ambrosius, B., G. Beutler, G. Blewitt, and R.E. Neilan, 1998. The Role of GPS in the WEGENER Project, Journal of Geodynamics, 25, p. 213-240.
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- Kreemer, C. , R. Govers, K.P. Furlong, and W.E. Holt, 1998. Plate boundary deformation between the Pacific and North America in the Explorer region, Tectonophysics, 293, 225-238.
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- 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, 1998. Scientific Objectives of Current and Future WEGENER Activities, Tectonophysics, 294, 117-223.
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- D. R. Toomey, W. S. D. Wilcock, S. C. Solomon, W. C. Hammond and J. A. Orcutt, 1998. Mantle Seismic Structure Beneath the MELT Region of the East Pacific Rise from P and S Wave Tomography, Science, 280, 1,224-1,227.
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