Indian Plate Motion Revealed by GPS Observations: Preliminary Results

Abstract

In this study, a brief summary on the motion of the Indian plate and its interior deformation is presented. An analysis of four GPS stations across the Indian subcontinent provides evidence of convergence toward the Eurasian plate at a velocity of about ∼50 mm/yr in the northeast direction. Based on the analysis, it is found that the intraplate motion of the Indian plate is very low (∼1−3 mm/yr), and its interior acts like a solid rigid plate. In addition, it is observed that the Indian subcontinent is subsiding with a rate of about ∼3−1 mm/yr. Along the Himalayan arc, a high-velocity gradient is observed that conforms to the rapid deformation along the plate boundary. Finally, this study argues that the past earthquakes and possible future earthquakes along the plate interior depend either upon the internal lithospheric stress or on the stress from the plate boundary (i.e., Himalaya).