Abstract
Abstract. This paper seeks to investigate the tectonic motion of Malaysia using the Malaysian Active GPS Station (MASS) and Malaysia Realtime Kinematic GNSS Network (MyRTKnet) data from years 2001 to 2013. GNSS data were processed using Bernese 5.0, and plotted as a time series; whereby the period before and after the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman mega earthquake are plotted separately. From the time series, episodic events and stable inter-seismic deformation period are analysed. The results indicate that the 2001- 2004 and 2008-2011 periods were free from episodic events; hence, chosen to depict the tectonic motion of Malaysia before and after 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, respectively. The motion had a major change in direction and rate, especially for East Malaysia and South Peninsular Malaysia. This indicates there exist a long-term post-seismic deformation due to the 2004 mega earthquake. Nonetheless, the 2008-2011 inter-seismic period is stable, and suitable to represent the current long-term tectonic motion of Malaysia: Peninsular and East Malaysia moves south-east, at an average velocity of 0.89 ±0.01 cm/yr south and 1.70 ±0.02 cm/yr east, and 1.06 ±0.01 cm/yr south and 2.50 ±0.02 cm/yr east, respectively. In addition, the co-seismic motion for the 2005 Nias, 2007 Bengkulu and 2012 Northern Sumatra earthquakes after the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake are relatively small, indicating these three earthquakes have no significant contribution to the long-term tectonic motion of Malaysia. Overall, this paper aims to provide a general insight into the tectonic motion of Malaysia which, expectedly, may benefit other scientific fields.
Highlights
The earth is dynamic in nature as it undergoes geological and dynamic processes which, broadly speaking, alters the shape or, the terrain of the earth
An instance whereby an earthquake had a devastating effect in Malaysia was the 9.2 Mw 2004 SumatraAndaman mega earthquake which resulted in long-term postseismic deformation within the Sunda plate (Paul et al, 2012)
There are four parts to depict and understand the tectonic motion of Malaysia: (1) the plate tectonic motion before the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman mega earthquake, (2) the plate tectonic motion after the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman mega earthquake, (3) the current long-term plate tectonic motion of Malaysia which is unaffected by episodic events, i.e., coseismic bias, and lastly (4) the co-seismic motion of each earthquakes that have affected Malaysia
Summary
The earth is dynamic in nature as it undergoes geological and dynamic processes which, broadly speaking, alters the shape or, the terrain of the earth. These processes include earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, ice sheet melting, etc., of which may cause significant damages to society. Studying these processes leads to better understanding their behaviour; employing appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures. The study on plate tectonics and earthquakes in Malaysia is minimal as the effects are still within the safe zone when compared to the other processes, and countries such as Nepal and Indonesia. The implication of earthquakes are not solely in terms of socioeconomics, but affects the sciences as well such as surveying and mapping
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