GPS Observations and Numerical Modeling of a Rapid Shear Zone in Irian Jaya, Indonesia

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY

Investigators

Abstract

Rob McCaffrey 0073769 The Bird's Head region at the northern edge of the Australian continent contains the world's fastest slipping continental strike-slip system. Preliminary evidence indicates that block rotation accompanies the shear. The investigators propose to improve our understanding of the mechanics of distributed shear in continents and of block rotations by densifying GPS measurements across the Irian Jaya shear zone. They will install about 40 new GPS sites and measure them twice over a 2.5 year interval. These data will allow the investigators to test whether or not the distribution of deformation within the Irian Jaya shear zone is consistent with 'floating block' models in which crustal blocks are moved by tractions on their bases imparted by a flowing mantle.