New space geodetic constraints on the distribution of deformation in Central Asia

Results from repeated measurements across a 90-sites global positioning sys tem network in Central Asia provide direct evidence of current high rates o f tectonic deformation far north of the India-Eurasia suture zone. The data help to quantify both the partitioning of deformation within the seismical ly active Tien Shan and Northern Pamirs, as well as the ongoing rotation of virtually undeformed blocks such as the Tarim with respect to stable Euras ia. The NNW to SSE shortening rates derived from the computations reach val ues of 23 +/- 3 nim yr(-1) over the ranges studied, suggesting that regiona l deformation rates have increased considerably within the study area since the onset, of Cenozoic shortening 20-25 Myr ago. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.