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Title: Rate of change of the Quincy-Monument Peak baseline from a translocation analysis of LAGEOS laser range data

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)
; ;  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder (USA) National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO (USA)
  2. Univ. of Texas, Austin (USA)

Translocation studies of LAGEOS laser range data from Quincy and Monument Peak in California observed during 1984-1987 suggest that plate tectonic motion across the San Andreas fault system in the direction of the baseline between the two stations is uniform at a rate of {minus}30({plus minus}3) mm/a. Changes in the components of the baseline vector were inferred from repeat determinations using the solutions from successive 0.5-year intervals. The changes in the vertical and transverse components of the Quincy-Monument Peak baseline are {minus}0.4({plus minus}5) mm/a and +14({plus minus}5) mm/a respectively. The vertical component determinations attest to the height stability of the laser ranging method. LAGEOS measurements made from Quincy and Monument Peak before 1984 are inaccurate enough to limit their usefulness for plate tectonic studies.

OSTI ID:
5599253
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA), Vol. 16:6; ISSN 0094-8276
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English