Current strain regime in the Western Alps from continuous Global Positioning System measurements, 1996–2001

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 2002 Current strain regime in the Western Alps from continuous Global Positioning System measurements, 1996–2001 E. Calais; E. Calais 1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Géosciences Azur, Valbonne, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J.-M. Nocquet; J.-M. Nocquet 2Institut Géographique National, Laboratory for Research in Geodesy, Marne la Vallée, France, and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Géosciences Azur, Valbonne, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar F. Jouanne; F. Jouanne 3Laboratoire de Géodynamique des Chaînes Alpines, UMR 5025, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Savoie, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M. Tardy M. Tardy 3Laboratoire de Géodynamique des Chaînes Alpines, UMR 5025, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Savoie, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information E. Calais 1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Géosciences Azur, Valbonne, France J.-M. Nocquet 2Institut Géographique National, Laboratory for Research in Geodesy, Marne la Vallée, France, and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Géosciences Azur, Valbonne, France F. Jouanne 3Laboratoire de Géodynamique des Chaînes Alpines, UMR 5025, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Savoie, France M. Tardy 3Laboratoire de Géodynamique des Chaînes Alpines, UMR 5025, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Savoie, France Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 29 Nov 2001 Revision Received: 28 Feb 2002 Accepted: 04 Mar 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2002) 30 (7): 651–654. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0651:CSRITW>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 29 Nov 2001 Revision Received: 28 Feb 2002 Accepted: 04 Mar 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation E. Calais, J.-M. Nocquet, F. Jouanne, M. Tardy; Current strain regime in the Western Alps from continuous Global Positioning System measurements, 1996–2001. Geology 2002;; 30 (7): 651–654. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0651:CSRITW>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Four to six years of continuous measurements at 10 permanent Global Positioning System sites in the Western Alps show horizontal residual velocities of <2 mm/yr with respect to stable Europe; uncertainties range from 0.3 to 1.4 mm/yr. These velocities and the associated strain-rate field indicate that the central part of the range is currently dominated by east-west extension, whereas the southern part shows north-south to northwest-southeast compression. The geodetic and seismotectonic data are consistent with a model where strain is essentially controlled by the counterclockwise rotation of the Adriatic microplate with respect to Eurasia. This rotation, together with the arcuate shape of the contact between the Adriatic microplate and the Alps, induces dextral shear kinematic boundary conditions across the Western Alps, with an additional divergence component in their central part and in Switzerland, and a convergence component in their southern part. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.