Along-strike variation in deformation style inferred from kinematic reconstruction and strain rate analysis: A case study of the Ethiopian Rift

Abstract

In this paper we combine kinematic reconstruction and seismic strain rate analysis to understand the along-strike variation in strain accommodation in the Ethiopian Rift (ER) evolution. The reconstruction poles close the southern and central ER at 19 and 15Myr, respectively whereas there is 34±14km overlap in the northern ER at 11Myr. Using Kostrov summation, seismic strain rates of 6.81×10-9yr−1 and 0.06×10−9yr−1 are obtained for the south-central and northern ER, respectively. Comparison of the seismic and geodetic strain rates shows that seismic deformation dominates the south and central ER contrary to the northern ER that deforms aseismically. The results obtained indicate that Nubia/Somalia plate reconstructions together with information on the onset of rifting overestimate the kinematics of the northern ER. We argue that magmatic processes play significant role in accommodating the ∼2Myr opening of the rift. Our findings agree well with previous geophysical and geological studies in the Ethiopian Rift.