Kinematics of the Indo–Eurasia Plate Boundary and Great Sumatran Fault

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Sumatra

Project Name:Kinematics of the Indo–Eurasia Plate Boundary and Great Sumatran Fault

Location: 
Sumatra, Indonesia
Project Description:

The Great Sumatran Fault is a continental strike-slip fault that cuts the island of Sumatra.  The fault results from the oblique convergence between the Indo-Eurasia and Eurasian plates. Deformation occurring at the Sumatran plate boundary has been the cause of numerous earthquakes, including the Aceh-Andaman earthquake in 2004. With a magnitude above 9.0, this earthquake has been one of the largest earthquakes that has ever been recorded. Seismicity along the Sumatran fault can exceed M7. Using GPS stations to monitor geodetic movement, the motion of these plates can be determined.  By studying this area and its oblique plate convergence, the Great Sumatran Fault may be an area of study that can yield data applicable to not only its own deformation, but to other areas with similar plate tectonics.

Caltech Tectonics Observatory. Time Series Java Plotter for SuGAr GPS Network. http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~jeff/sugar/ 

Caltech Tectonics Observatory. Sumatran Plate Boundary Project. http://www.tectonics.caltech.edu/sumatra/