Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The plate kinematics of Burmese micro-plate relative to its surroundings

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are constituents of Burmese micro-plate (Eurasian plate), surrounded by the Indian and Sunda plates. In order to understand the relative movement of Andaman Islands with its surrounding plates, the rate of change of baseline lengths of the selected GPS stations was estimated with the PBR2 in the Andaman Island as the prime representative. The interpretations of GPS parameters revealed that the Indian peninsula is coming closer to the Andaman Islands and the Sunda block is moving away from it. There is almost no significant movement of Burmese plate with respect to the Eurasian plate. A considerable level of deformation occurs between the Indian plate and Burmese micro-plate that corroborates with the continuous occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic activities in the surroundings of Andaman Islands. The convergence between the Indian peninsula and Andaman Islands is 24~26 mm/year and the corresponding strain rate is −1.4324 × 10−8 and −1.3037 × 10−8, respectively. It is found that if this rate of convergence prevails/continues in the future, then after about ~73 million years, Indian sub-continent will be merged with the Andaman Islands and the Bay of Bengal will disappear. The estimated strain rate can be capable of generating frequent earthquakes releasing stress reflecting the high seismicity of the area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akilan A, Balaji S, Srinivas Y, Yuvaraj N (2013) Plate motion predictability using Hurst exponent applied to Maitri-Antarctica GPS network. Journal of Geological Society of India 82(6):613–620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akilan A, Balaji S, Srinivas Y (2014) Are the tectonic blocks around the Wharton basin dispersed during an earthquake?—A GPS Geodesy solution. Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences 43(4):453–462

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, R., Carter, A., Najman, Y., Bandopadhyay, P.C., Chapman, H.J., Bickle, M.J., Garzanti, E., Vezzoli, G., Ando, S., Foster, G.L., Gerring, C., (2007) New constraints on the sedimentation and uplift history of the Andaman-Nocibar accretionary prism, South Andaman Island, Special paper, 436-11, 1–34.

  • Banerjee P, Burgmann R (2002) Convergence across the northwest Himalaya from GPS measurements. Geophys Res Lett 29(13):1652. doi:10.1029/2002GL015184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biswas S, Majumdar RK (1997) Seismicity and tectonics of the Bay of Bengal: evidence for intraplate deformation of the northern Indian plate. Tectonophysics 269:323–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catherine JK, Gahalaut VK, Srinivas N, Kumar S, Nagarajan B (2014) Evidence of strain accumulation in the Andaman region for the Giant 2004 Sumatra Andaman Earthquake. Bull Seismol Soc Am 104(1). doi:10.1785/0120130141

  • Chakraborthy, P.P., and Khan, P.K., (2009) Genozoic geodynamic evolution of Andaman-Sumatra subduction margin: current understanding Island Arc, 18, 184–200.

  • Cochran JR (2010) Morphology and tectonics of the Andaman forearc. Northeastern Indian Ocean. Geophysical Journal International 182:631–651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curray JR (2005) Tectonics and history of the Andaman sea region. J Asian Earth Sci 25:187–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dach, R., Hugentobler, U., Fridez, P., and Meindl, M., (2007) User manual of the Bernese GPS software version 5.0, Astronomical Institute, University of Bern.

  • Dasgupta S, Mukhopadhyay M (1993) Seismicity and plate deformation below the Andaman arc, northeastern Indian Ocean. Tectonophysics 225:529–542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dasgupta, S., Mukhopadhyay M and Nandy, D.R., (1995) Geological frame work of the Indo-Burmese convergent margin with special reference to ophiolite emplacement, Indian Journal of Geology, 67(2), 110–125, 1995.

  • DeMets C, Royer J-Y (2003) A new high-resolution model for India-Capricorn motion since 20 Ma: implications for the chronology and magnitude of distributed crustal deformation in the central Indian Basin. Curr Sci 85(3):2003

    Google Scholar 

  • Gahalaut VK, Rajput S, Kundu B (2011) Low seismicity in the Bhutan Himalaya and the stress shadow of the 1987 Shillong Plateau earthquake. Phys Earth Planet Inter 186:97–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gero WM, Yu YQ, Zhu SY, Reigber C, Becker M, Reinhart E, Simons W, Ambrosius B, Vigny C, Chamot-Rooke N, Pichon XL, Morgen P, Matheussen S (2001) Crustal motion and block behavior in SE-Asia from GPS measurements. Earth Planet Sci Lett 187:239–244

  • Gorden RG, DeMets C, Royer J-Y (1998) Evidence for long-term diffuse deformation of the lithosphere of the equatorial Indian ocean. Nature 395:370–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gorden RG (2009) Lithospheric deformation in the equatorial Indian Ocean Timing and Tibet. Geology 37(3):287–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurukawa N, Tun PP, Shibazaki B (2012) Detailed geometry of the subducting Indian plate beneath the Burma plate and subcrustal seismicity in the Burma plate derived from joint hypocenter relocation. Earth Planets Space 64:333–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jade, S., (2004) Estimates of plate velocity and crustal deformation in the Indian subcontinent using GPS geodesy, 86 (10), 1443–1448.

  • Jin, S., Wu, Y., Heinkelmann, R., and Park, J., (2008) Diurnal and semidiurnal atmosphere tiles observed by co-located GPS and VLBI measurements , 70(10), 1366–1372.

  • Jin S, Luo OF, Cho J (2009) Systematic errors between VLBI and GPS perceptible water vapor estimates from 5 year co-located measurements. Journal of Atmospheric and Solar Terrestrial Physics 71(2):264–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kundu B, Legrand D, Gahalaut K, Gahalaut VK, Mahesh P, Kamesh Raju KA, Catherine JK, Ambikapathy A, Chadha RK (2012) The 2005 volcano-tectonic earthquake swarm in the Andaman Sea: triggered by the 2004 great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. Tectonics 31:TC5009. doi:10.1029/2012TC003138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rangin C, Maurin T, Masson F (2013) Combined effects of Eurasia/Sunda oblique convergence and East-Tibetan crustal flow on the active tectonics of Burma. J Asian Earth Sci 76:185–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larson KM, Agnew DC (1991) Application of the global positioning system to crustal deformation measurement 1. Precision and accuracy. Journal of Geophysical Research 96(B10):16547–16565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, K.M., Burgmann, R., Bilham, R., and Freymuller, J.T., (1999);Kinematics of the India-Eurasia collision zone from GPS measurements, Journal of Geophysical Research, 104 (B1), 1077–1093.

  • Li, C., Robert D., Van der Hilst, R.D., Meltzer, A.S., Engdahl, E.R., (2008) Earth planetary science letters, 274, 157–168.

  • Liu C-S, Curray JR, McDonald JM (1983) New constrains on the tectonic evolution of the Eastern Indian Ocean. Earthand Planetary Science Letters 65:331–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahesh, P., Caterine, J.K., Gahalaut, V.K., Kundu, B., Ambikapathy, A., Bansal, A., Premkishore, L., Narsaiah, M., Ghavri, S., Chadha, R.K., Choudhary, P., Singh, D.K., Kumar, S., Nagarajan, B., Bhatt, B.C., Tiwari, R.P., Kumar, A., Kumar, A., Bhu, H., S. Kalita, S., (2012) Rigid Indian plate: constrains from GPS measurements, Gondwana Res, 22(3–4), 1068–1072.

  • Malaimani EC, Campbell J, Gorres B, Kotthoff H, Smaritschnik S (2000) Indian plate kinematic studies by GPS-geodesy. Earth Planets Space 52(10):741–745

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malik JN, Murthy CVR, Eeri M, Rai DC (2006) Landscape changes in the Andman and Nicobar Islands (India) after December 2004 Great Sumatra Earthquake and Indian Ocean Tsunami. Earthquake Spectra 22(S3):S43–S66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansor MY, Hadi A, Rahman A, Menier D, Dubellier M (2014) Structural evolution of Malay Basin, it link to Sunda Block tectonics. Mar Pet Geol 58:736–748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morley CK, Alvey A (2015) Is spreading prolonged, episodic or incipient in the Andaman sea? Evidence from deepwater sedimentation. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 98:446–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mukhopadhyay B, Dasgupta S (2008) Swarms in Andaman Sea, India—a seismotectonic analysis. Acta Geophysica 56(4):1000–1014. doi:10.2478/s11600-008-0039-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ortiz, M., and Bilham, R., (2003) Source area rupture parameters of the 31 December 1881 Mw 7.9 Car Nicobar earthquake estimated from tsunamis recorded in the Bay of Bengal, Journal of Geophysical Research, 108, doi:10.1029/2002JB001941, issn: 0148–0227.

  • Kamesh Raju, K.A., Ramprasad, T., Rao, P.S., Ramalingeswara rao, B., Varghese, J., (2004) New insights into the tectonic evolution of the Andman basin, northeast Indian Ocean, Earth Planet Sci Lett, 221, 145–162.

  • Kamesh Raju KA, Ray D, Mudholkar A, Murth GPS, Gahalaut VK, Samudrala K, Paropakari AL, Ramachandran R, Prakas LS (2012) Tectonic and volcanic implications of cratered seamount off Nicobar Island, Andaman Sea. J Asian Earth Sci 56:42–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kayal JR, Gaonkar SG, Chakraborthy GK, Singh OP (2004) Aftershocks and seismotectonic implications of the 13 September 2002 earthquake (Mw = 6.5) in the Andman Sea Region. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 94(1):326–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pal, T., Chakraborthy, P.P., Gupta, T.D., and Singh, C.D., (2003) Geodynamic evolution of outer-arc-forearc belt in the Andman Islands, the central part of the Burma-Java subduction complex, Geol. Mag. 140(3), 2003, pp 289–307, doi:10.1017/s0016756803007805.

  • Paul J, Burgmann R, Gaur VK, Bilham R, Larson KM, Ananda MB, Jade S, Mukal M, Anupama TS, Satyal G, Kumar D (2001) The motion and active deformation of India. Geophys Res Lett 28(4):647–651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul J, Lowry AR, Bilham R, Sen S, Smalley R Jr (2007) Post seismic deformation of the Andaman Islands following the 26 December, 2004 Great Sumatra Andman earthquake. Geophys Res Lett 34:L19309. doi:10.1029/2007/GL031024

  • Roy DK, Acharyya SK, Ray KK, Lahiri TC, Sen MK (1988) Nature of occurrence and depositional environment of the oceanic pelagic sediments associated with the ophiolite assemblage, South Andaman Island. Indian Mineralogy 42:31–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy, S.K., (1992) Accre tionary prism in Andman fore arc, spl.pub.Geol.suvey India, 29,273–278.

  • Royer, J-Y., Gorden, R.G., DeMets, C., Vogt, P.R., (1997) New limits on the motion between India and Australia since chron 5 (11 Ma) and implications for lithospheric deformation in the equatorial Indian ocean, Geophys J Int, 129, 41–74.

  • Satyabala SP (2003) Oblique plate convergence in the indo-Burma (Myanmar) subduction region. Pure Appl Geophys 160:1611–1650

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheth H (2014) What derives centuries-long polygenetic scoria cone activity at Barren Island volcano? J Volcanol Geotherm Res 289:64–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sempara, J.C and Klein, E.M., (1995) New insights in crustal accretion from Indian Ocean spreading centers, Eos, 76(11), 1–5.

  • Sieh K, Natawidjaja D (2000) Neotectonics of Sumatra fault, Indonesia. J Geophys Res 105(B12):28,295–28,326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Socquet A, Vigny C, Chamot-Rooke N, Simons W, Rangin C, Ambrosius B (2006) India and Sunda plates motion and deformation along their boundary in Myanmar determined by GPS. J Geophys Res 111:B05406. doi:10.1029/2005JB003877

    Google Scholar 

  • Subrahmanyam C, Gireesh R, Chand S, Raju KAK, Rao DG (2008) Geophysical characteristics of the ninetyeast Ridge-Andaman island arc/trench convergent zone. Earth Planet Sci Lett 266:29–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tse ST, Rice JR (1986) Crustal earthquake instability in relation to the depth variation of frictional slip properties. J Geophys Res 91:9452–9472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vigny C, Simons WEJ, Abu S, Bamphenyu R, Satirapod C, Choosakul N, Subarya C, Socquet A, Omar K, Abidin HZ, Ambrosius BAC (2005) Insight into the 2004 sumatra-Andaman earthquake from GPS measurements in Southeast Asia. Nature 436:201–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Director CSIR-NGRI for permitting us to publish this work and provided facilities to carry out this work. Most of the GPS data are downloaded from the IGS data center. The financial support received from the project ILP 0301-28 (JCK) is also acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, 500007, India

    A. Akilan, S. Padhy & K. K. Abdul Azeez

  2. Department of Coastal Disaster Management, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, 744103, India

    S. Balaji

  3. Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, 627012, India

    Y.Srinivas

Authors
  1. A. Akilan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Balaji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Padhy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. K. K. Abdul Azeez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Y.Srinivas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Akilan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Akilan, A., Balaji, S., Padhy, S. et al. The plate kinematics of Burmese micro-plate relative to its surroundings. Arab J Geosci 9, 333 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2345-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2345-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation