Crustal movement from satellite observations in the Australian region

Abstract

Abstract The paper outlines the crustal structure in the Australian and Papua New Guinea regions, and explains the need for data on crustal motion and deformation. Two other papers at the same meeting describe operations to investigate crustal strain on the Australian continent (Stolz and Masters, 1982; Wellman, 1981). This paper describes a third project, designed to determine the motion of plates in the Papua New Guinea region. Here the structure and motions are complex, with several minor plates between the major Indo-Australian and Pacific plates. Fifteen observing stations were selected so that there were at least two on each plate, and in April–May 1981 observations were taken to fix their position using five Doppler satellite receivers in a multi-station configuration. The observations are currently being processed and analysed. It is hoped to repeat the measurements at regular intervals.