Mechanics of distributed fault and block rotation

Paleomagnetic data, structural geology, and rock mechanics are used to explore the validity and significance of the block rotation concept. The analysis is based on data from Northern Israel, where fault slip and spacing are used to predict block rotation; the Mojave Desert, with well documented strike-slip sets; the Lake Mead, Nevada fault system with well-defined sets of strike-slip faults; and the San Gabriel Mountains domain with a multiple set of strike-slip faults. The results of the analysis indicate that block rotations can have a profound influence on the interpretation of geodetic measurments and the inversion of geodetic data. Furthermore, the block rotations and domain boundaries may be involved in creating the heterogeneities along active fault systems which may be responsible for the initiation and termination of earthquake rupture.