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North American plate dynamicsDeformation within the North American plate in response to various tectonic processes is modeled using an elastic finite element analysis. The tectonic processes considered in the modeling include ridge forces associated with the normal thermal evolution of oceanic lithosphere, shear and normal stresses transmitted across transforms, normal stresses transmitted across convergent boundaries, stresses due to horizontal density contrasts within the continent, and shear tractions applied along the base of the plate. Model stresses are calculated with respect to a lithostatic reference stress state. Shear stresses transmitted across transform boundaries along the San Andreas and Caribbean are small, of the order of 5-10 MPa. Also, compressive stresses of the order of 5-10 MPa transmitted across the major transforms improve the fit to the data. Compressive stresses across convergent margins along the Aleutians and the Middle America trench are important.
Document ID
19910061271
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Richardson, Randall M.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Reding, Lynn M.
(Arizona, University Tucson, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
July 10, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 96
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
91A45894
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-326
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF EAR-82-12538
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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