GPS measurements of horizontal deformation across the Lai Chau - Dien Bien (Dien Bien Phu) fault, in Northwest Vietnam, 2002-2004

Abstract

Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements from Feb. 2002 through Mar. 2004 were used to estimate the recent crustal movement along the Lai Chau - Dien Bien (Dien Bien Phu) fault (LC-DBF) system in the Northwest of Vietnam. Four GPS campaign data were processed to estimate ITRF2000 and local horizontal velocities, as well as extensive and compressive strain rates across the LC-DBF. ITRF2000 velocities are consistent with east-southeastward movement of Sundaland i.e. Indochina. Local velocities did not reveal much left-lateral strike-slip of the fault system and the derived strain rates were insignificantly different from zero at 95% confidence. Copyright © The Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences (SGEPSS); The Seismological Society of Japan; The Volcanological Society of Japan; The Geodetic Society of Japan; The Japanese Society for Planetary Sciences; TERRAPUB.