Evaluating Interpolation Methods for Velocity and Strain Rate in the Western United States
Abstract
We calculate horizontal strain rates in the Western United States using a geodetic Global Positioning System network of 1,742 stations. Three dimensional velocity vectors in the North American reference frame for GPS stations are based on data beginning in 1993 and reveal, among other features, large-scale clockwise rotation. We explore multiple interpolation techniques (linear, polynomial, and spline methods) to estimate velocity gradients along the Earth's surface. Using these interpolation techniques, we calculate strain rates from the velocity gradients and make a detailed comparison of the strengths and limitations of each method. We analyze the calculated velocity and strain rate fields with detailed attention to ongoing post-seismic deformation related to the 1872 North Cascades earthquake and strain in the fore arc across the Puget Sound area based on GPS observations made there by us in 2016.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFM.G51A1077R
- Keywords:
-
- 1209 Tectonic deformation;
- GEODESY AND GRAVITYDE: 1525 Paleomagnetism applied to tectonics: regional;
- global;
- GEOMAGNETISM AND PALEOMAGNETISMDE: 7230 Seismicity and tectonics;
- SEISMOLOGYDE: 8158 Plate motions: present and recent;
- TECTONOPHYSICS