ACCRETION OF THE SOUTHERN BANDA ARC TO THE AUSTRALIAN PLATE MARGIN DETERMINED BY GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM MEASUREMENTS

Global Positioning System geodetic measurements at thirteen locations in Indonesia and four in Australia reveal that the Australian continen t has accreted the Banda island are to its margin. Small relative velo cities of five sites on west Java, south Kalimantan, Bah, and south Su lawesi define a rigid Sunda shelf that moves relative to northern Aust ralia in a manner consistent with pole locations from NUVEL-1 Australi a-Eurasia but at a rate that is about 7% slower. Block-like northward motion of the southern Panda are toward the Sunda shelf at nearly the same rate as Australia suggests that the Timer trough is now inactive as a thrust. Little of the convergence of Australia with Eurasia is ac commodated by strain within the Banda are structure. Most of the conve rgence appears to occur as northward translation of the rigid are with shortening on the Flores and Wetar thrusts and possibly on faults wit hin the back are basin.