Paleoseismology and Global Positioning System: Earthquake-Cycle Effects and Gversus Geologic Fault Slip Rates in the Eastern California Shear Zone

Timothy H. Dixon, E. Norabuena, L. Hotaling

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Published slip rates for the Owens Valley fault zone in eastern California based on geodetic data and elastic half-space models (5–7 mm/yr) are faster than longer term geologic rates (2–3 mm/yr). We use Global Positioning System data spanning the central Owens Valley, a more realistic rheological model with an elastic upper crust over a viscoelastic lower crust and upper mantle, and paleoseismic data from adjacent faults, to show that this difference could reflect earthquake-cycle effects. We estimate a long-term rate (2.1 ± 0.7 mm/yr) and earthquake recurrence interval (2750 +350/−1000 yr) from the geodetic data, both in agreement with independent geologic estimates.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalGeology
Volume31
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • GPS
  • earthquake cycle
  • paleoseismology
  • fault slip rates

Disciplines

  • Earth Sciences

Cite this