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Victoria continental microplate dynamics controlled by the lithospheric strength distribution of the East African Rift

Author

Listed:
  • Anne Glerum

    (Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences)

  • Sascha Brune

    (Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences
    University of Potsdam)

  • D. Sarah Stamps

    (Virginia Tech)

  • Manfred R. Strecker

    (University of Potsdam)

Abstract

The Victoria microplate between the Eastern and Western Branches of the East African Rift System is one of the largest continental microplates on Earth. In striking contrast to its neighboring plates, Victoria rotates counterclockwise with respect to Nubia. The underlying cause of this distinctive rotation has remained elusive so far. Using 3D numerical models, we investigate the role of pre-existing lithospheric heterogeneities in continental microplate rotation. We find that Victoria’s rotation is primarily controlled by the distribution of rheologically stronger zones that transmit the drag of the major plates to the microplate and of the mechanically weaker mobile belts surrounding Victoria that facilitate rotation. Our models reproduce Victoria’s GPS-derived counterclockwise rotation as well as key complexities of the regional tectonic stress field. These results reconcile competing ideas on the opening of the rift system by highlighting differences in orientation of the far-field divergence, local extension, and the minimum horizontal stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Glerum & Sascha Brune & D. Sarah Stamps & Manfred R. Strecker, 2020. "Victoria continental microplate dynamics controlled by the lithospheric strength distribution of the East African Rift," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-16176-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16176-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexis Cartwright-Taylor & Maria-Daphne Mangriotis & Ian G. Main & Ian B. Butler & Florian Fusseis & Martin Ling & Edward Andò & Andrew Curtis & Andrew F. Bell & Alyssa Crippen & Roberto E. Rizzo & Si, 2022. "Seismic events miss important kinematically governed grain scale mechanisms during shear failure of porous rock," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.

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