Basic Characteristics of Present Movement of Major Tectonic Blocks in China‘s Continent

In order to study the present crustal movement and geodynamics in China‘s continent, a countrywide GPS monitoring network consisting of 22 stations was set up evenly on major tectonic blocks in China‘s continent in the early 1990s. Three-phase observations using the network were carried out in 1992, 1994, and 1996, respectively. In this paper, the data processing and accuracy of the three-phase observations are examined and the basic characteristics of present block movement in China‘s continent are analyzed based on the data of three-phase repeated observations. The study result indicates that the accuracy of data obtained in three-phase observations on the GPS network reaches 10-8 ～ 10-9, which is adequate to the need of monitoring of crustal movement. A model for block movement in China‘s continent constructed based on the result of the three-phase observations has effectively tested the results of geological and geophysical studies. In global framework, China‘s continent as a whole shows its clear eastward motion and its regional movement relative to Siberian block is characterized by that the western China is mainly affected by northward subduction and pushing of Indian Plate. Qinghai-Xizang Plateau shows clear eastward lateral slip simultaneously with longitudinal compression. It is more favorable to the escape model for the continent. Block movement of eastern China is under the combined effect of Indian, Pacific,and Philippine plates, resulting in northeastern and eastern motions of eastern China up to southeastern coastal region where the effect of Philippine Plate strengthens.

Basic Characteristics of Present Movement of Major Tectonic Blocks in China's Continent

In order to study the present crustal movement and geodynamics in China's continent, a countrywide GPS monitoring network consisting of 22 stations was set up evenly on major tectonic blocks in China's continent in the early 1990s. Three-phase observations using the network were carried out in 1992, 1994, and 1996, respectively. In this paper, the data processing and accuracy of the three-phase observations are examined and the basic characteristics of present block movement in China's continent are analyzed based on the data of three-phase repeated observations. The study result indicates that the accuracy of data obtained in three-phase observations on the GPS network reaches 10"8 ~ 10~9, which is adequate to the need of monitoring of crustal movement. A model for block movement in China's continent constructed based on the result of the three-phase observations has effectively tested the results of geological and geophysical studies. In global framework, China's continent as a whole shows its clear eastward motion and its regional movement relative to Siberian block is characterized by that the western China is mainly affected by northward subduction and pushing of Indian Plate. Qinghai-Xizang Plateau shows clear eastward lateral slip simultaneously with longitudinal compression. It is more favorable to the escape model for the continent. Block movement of eastern China is under the combined effect of Indian, Pacific, and Philippine plates, resulting in northeastern and eastern motions of eastern China up to southeastern coastal region where the effect of Philippine Plate strengthens.