Subduction zone coupling and tectonic block rotations in the North Island, New Zealand

The GPS velocity field in the North Island of New Zealand is dominated by the long‐term tectonic rotation of the eastern North Island and elastic strain from stress buildup on the subduction zone thrust fault. We simultaneously invert GPS velocities, earthquake slip vectors, and geological fault slip rates in the North Island for the angular velocities of elastic crustal blocks and the spatially variable degree of coupling on faults separating the blocks. This approach allows us to estimate the distribution of interseismic coupling on the subduction zone interface beneath the North Island and the kinematics of the tectonic block rotations. In agreement with previous studies we find that the subduction zone…

• FF
  Foundation for Research, Science and Technology
• LE
  Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University