Solares Colón, Margarita M.

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    New constraints on crustal deformation within the Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands microplate using two decades of GPS data
    (2019-05-14) Solares Colón, Margarita M.; López Venegas, Alberto M.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Joyce, James; Vanacore, Elizabeth; Department of Geology; Canals, Miguel
    Observations from Global Positioning System (GPS) along the northeastern region of the Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone have been used to evaluate crustal deformation in the Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands (PRVI) microplate for more than two decades. This includes 29 continuous GPS sites and 16 campaign GPS sites in the PRVI region. GPS data from this epoch extends time series by 6 to 10 years of observations from previous measurements. All data was processed with GIPSY-OASIS II (v.6.4) using a precise point positioning approach in IGS08 reference frame. GPS-derived velocities of 41 sites were used to define the relative motion of the PRVI block with respect to both North America and Caribbean plates. In this study we use average residual velocities of GPS sites to estimate the PRVI block rate of motion of 1.97 ± 0.83 mm/yr towards N81.1°W ± 38.4° with respect to the CA plate. Sites placed within the PRVI block behave differently to sites in stable Caribbean plate, thus confirming the separate identity of the PRVI block. The F-ratio test and baseline lengths changes were calculated in order to evaluate the PRVI block rigidity and to set additional constraints on intraplate deformation. We have obtained results that suggest internal deformation within the PRVI block in southwestern Puerto Rico using sites at both sides of the potential fault system in the southwestern part of the Island. We also re-examine the western boundary of PRVI block located between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. This GPS dataset combined with seismic data can contribute in future assessments of earthquake and tsunamis hazards for Puerto Rico and the northeastern Caribbean.