Kinematics of the India-Eurasia collision zone from GPS measurements

We use geodetic techniques to study the India-Eurasia collision zone. Six y ears of GPS data constrain maximum surface contraction rates across the Nep al Himalaya to 18 +/- 2 mm/yr at 12 degrees N +/- 13 degrees (1 sigma). The se surface rates across the 150-km-wide deforming zone are well fitted with a dislocation model of a buried north dipping detachment fault striking 10 5 degrees, which aseismically slips at a rate of 20 +/- 1 mm/yr, our prefer red estimate for the India-to-southern-Tibet convergence rate. This is in g ood agreement with various geologic predictions of 18 +/- 7 mm/yr for the H imalaya. A better fit can be achieved with a two-fault model, where the wes tern and eastern faults strike 112 degrees and 101 degrees, respectively, i n approximate parallelism with the Himalayan are and a seismicity lineament . We find eastward directed extension of 11 +/- 3 mm/yr between northwester n Nepal Lhasa, also in good agreement with geologic and seismic studies acr oss the southern Tibetan plateau. Continuous GPS sites are used to further constrain the style and rates of deformation throughout the collision zone. Sites in India, Uzbekistan, and Russia agree within error with plate model prediction.