The Kinematics of Deforming Central and East Asia

本研究是用一种新的方法来确定变形中的中亚和东亚地区的相对运动运动学。通过对观察到的应变速率的平均块拟合多项式函数，分析可以确定在指定参考系内的相对速度和旋转。应变速率是由本世纪大地震的矩张量和和主要断层的第四纪滑动速率确定的。这种方法使科学家们能够直接将大陆大变形区域上经常复杂的断层样式与板块的相对运动联系起来。重要的是，它还允许研究断层在适应相对运动中所起的作用。这项研究是国家减少地震危害计划的一个组成部分。

This research is to determine the kinematics of relative motion within deforming Central and East Asia using a new method. By fitting a polynomial function to observed, average blocks of strain rate, the analysis can determine both relative velocities and rotations within specified reference frames. Strain rates are determined from a moment tensor summation of large earthquakes in this century, and from Quaternary slip rates on major faults. This method allows scientists to directly relate the often complicated styles of faulting over broad regions of continental deformation to the relative motion of the plates. Importantly, it also allows the investigation of the role the faults are playing in accommodating that relative motion. This research is a component of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program.