Crustal Horizontal Movement in Fujian and its Neighbouring Sea Region from 1994 to 1997 based on Multi‐Scale GPS Surveying Data

Abstract

AbstractThis paper provides a foundation for studying dynamics of marginal sea on the southeast of China continent. It is based on the data of GPS observation network of China continent and the one of Fujian regional observation network and the observed data of IGS (International GPS Service) tracing stations around China continent during the years from 1994 to 1997. The block movement and intrablock deformation models are established. The velocity field and strain rate field of present‐day crustal horizontal movement in Fujian and its neighboring sea region are firstly studied. The results indicate that Fujian and its neighboring sea region as a whole horizontally moves southeastward or east‐southeastward, i.e. wards sea, not only in China continent framework or in around China continent framework, but also relative to Taiwan. The average velocity is 11.2± 3.0mm/a (by Fujian GPS network) or 14.0±4.0mm/a (by China GPS network). Meanwhile, in Fujian area there is a northwestward movement directing from sea to hinterland. The average velocity is 3.0±2.6mm/a. The principal compressional axis of regional strain rate field lies in NW (NWW)‐SE (SEE). The collision between Indian plate and Eurasia plate affects Fujian and its neighboring sea region by several blocks' side‐transference in China continent, so do the obduction and compression on Taiwan (southeast margin of Eurasia continent) by Philippine Sea plate. The jointly affection still exists today. The affection of the former is stronger than the one of the latter, while the formed velocity field of the former is homogeneous and the one of the latter is not.