Kinematics and Dynamics of Observed Along-Rift Surface Motions in the East African Rift System

Abstract:

Geodetic observations of Nubian and Somalian plate interiors measure ~E-W divergence across the East African Rift System (EARS), which, in the absence of slab pull forces, is driven by shallow, lithospheric buoyancy and mantle shear tractions. Previous studies indicate the former drives E-W divergence a with minimal role of basal shear. In addition to E-W extension, an increasing number of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations within the deforming zones of the EARS detect an along-rift component of motion that is inconsistent with our current understanding of the EARS. In this work we investigate the kinematics and dynamics of these along-rift motions. We first calculate a strain rate and velocity field by fitting bi-cubic Bessel splines to new and existing GNSS observations. We resolve regions of localized compression and transtension within individual rifts that are corroborated by independent seismic and geologic observations. In a second step we test the competing roles of shallow topographic stresses and sub-lithospheric basal shear stresses acting beneath individual rifts where we observe along-rift surface motions using the finite element code ASPECT to solve for Stokes flow in a 3D regional geodynamic model. We compare predicted surface motions and mantle flow directions from our geodynamic simulations with our new continuous deformation model based on GNSS observations. Our work indicates topside driven upper mantle flow directions correspond with anomalous along-rift surface motions in several key locations, but our modeled rheological structure impedes basal shear stresses (<1-3 MPa) from driving surface deformation where we observe along-rift surface motions. This work suggests along-rift surface motions are decoupled from asthenospheric flow.