Locked and Loading Megathrust Linked to Active Subduction Beneath the Indo-Burman Ranges

Presenter: Jau-yu Lee

Date: 2016/12/01

Abstract

Geological and structural evidences in northeast India suggest an eastward subduction zone of the Indian plate beneath the Burmese plate. Whether the subduction zone is active or not is an important issue in this area. Here present GPS measurements of plate motions in Bangladesh, Myanmar and northeast India. Use GPS data to construct a megathrust model. Results show 46mm/yr of highly oblique motion between peninsular India and the Shan Plateau. This motion includes18mm/yr of convergence across the boundary and 42mm/yr of shear parallel to it. This study suggest that subduction in this region is active, but the megathrust locked on the shallow part. Burman arc is a unique region where there is a subducted slab but the direction of plate motion is nearly perpendicular to the down-dip direction. A locked megathrust plate boundary represents a potential of a large earthquake in one of the most densely populated regions of the world.

Reference


Steckler, M.S., Mondal, D.R., Akhter, S.H., Seeber, L., Feng, L., Gale, J., Hill, E.M., Howe, M.,2016. Locked and loading megathrust linked to active subduction beneath the Indo-Burman Ranges. Nat. Geosci. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/NGEO2760

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