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Kinematics of The East African Rift From GPS and Earthquake Slip Vector Data
Kinematics of The East African Rift From GPS and Earthquake Slip Vector Data
Abstract: Although the East African Rift (EAR) System is often cited as the archetype for models
of continental rifting and break-up, its present-day kinematics remains poorly constrained. We
show that the currently available GPS and earthquake slip vector data are consistent with ( l ) a
present-day Nubia-Somalia Euler pole located between the southern tip of Africa and the South
west Indian ridge and (2) the existence of a distinct microplate (Victoria) between the Eastern and
Western rifts, rotating counter-clockwise with respect to Nubia. Geodetic and geological data also
suggest the existence of a (Rovuma) microplate between the Malawi rift and the Davie ridge, poss
ibly rotating clockwise with respect to Nubia. The data indicate that the EAR comprises at least
two rigid lithospheric blocks bounded by narrow belts of seismicity (<50 km wide) marking loca
lized deformation rather than a wide zone of quasi-continuous, pervasive deformation. On the
basis of this new kinematic model and mantle flow directions interpreted from seismic anisotropy
measurements, we propose that regional asthenospheric upwelling and locally focused mantle
flow may influence continental deformation in East Africa.
The East African Rift (EAR), a 5000 km-long plates. For instance, Sella et al. (2002) used two
series of fault-bounded depressions straddling GPS sites on the Somalian plate and four on the
east Africa in a roughly north-south direction, Nubian plate, while Fernandes et al. (2004) used
marks the divergent boundary between two major three GPS sites on the Somalian plate and 11 on
tectonic plates, Somalia and Nubia (Fig. 1). the Nubian plate and longer data time series.
Although the EAR is often cited as a modern Again, these two GPS estimates of the Nubia
archetype for rifting and continental break-up and Somalia angular velocity differ significantly from
a Cenozoic continental flood basalt province, its each other, as well as from previous results
cunent kinematics is still poorly understood and derived from oceanic data (Fig. 1).
quantified, owing in part to its tremendous extent In addition to far-field plate motions, the
and inaccessibility. kinematics of the EAR itself remains an open
Jestin et al. (1994) were among the first to quan question. Some authors have proposed that
tify the kinematics of the EAR by estimating a 3 Ma the EAR consists of a mosaic of rigid litho
average Nubia-Somalia angular velocity. Using spheric blocks bounded by localized deformation
Arabia-Nubia and Arabia-Somalia relative within nanow seismically and volcanically active
motions determined from marine geophysical data rift valleys (e.g. Ebinger 1989; Hartnady 2002).
in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, they find a Others favour a broad deformation zone (e.g.
Nubia-Somalia Euler pole south of the Southwest Gordon 1998) implicit in models that assume a
Indian Ridge (Fig. 1). Their result differs signifi weak mantle lithosphere beneath continents (e.g.
cantly from that of Chu & Gordon (1999), who esti Jackson 2002). But the distribution of strain
mate a 3 Ma average Nubia-Somalia angular across and along the EAR is cunently unknown
velocity from marine geophysical data along the and no quantitative kinematic data are presently
Southwest Indian ridge and the Antarctica available for that plate boundary. In this paper,
Somalia and Antarctica-Nubia plate closure we use an updated GPS and earthquake slip
circuit (Fig. 1). More recently, direct estimates of vector data set to estimate the Somalia-Nubia
the Nubia-Somalia plate motion have been made angular velocity and propose a first-order kin
possible thanks to a limited number of permanent ematic model for present-day deformation in the
Global Positioning System (GPS) stations on both EAR.
1
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
RAB
...
. ! ��
30
: ...
MASl
____ '"
20
Indian
10 .Plate
-10
-20
-30
-40
Smm/a
*
.. J94
Fig. 1. GPS sites used in this study. Dots show seismicity (NEIC catalog). Stars are Euler poles for Somalia-Nubia
relative motion with associated 1-sigma error ellipse. S02 = Sella et al. 2002; PB04 = Prawirodirdjo & Bock
2004; F04 = Femandes et al. 2004; CG99 = Chu & Gordon 1999; J94 = Jestin et al. 1994. This work 2-plate = two
plate inversion using GPS velocities at MALI, REUN and SEYl +nine earthquake slip vectors along the Main
Ethiopian Rift. This work 3-plate = three-plate inversion using GPS velocities at MBAR, MALI, REUN, SEY l and 47
earthquake slip vectors along the East African Rift (see Figure 2 and Table 1). Curved dashed line shows the Nubia
Somalia plate boundary in the SW Indian Ocean proposed by Lemaux et al. 2002.
2
GPS data the vector of unknowns. The least-squares solution is
then given by:
We processed GPS data from 10 permanent GPS
sites operating on the Nubian plate (MAS1,
GOUG, NKLG, ZAMB, RBAY, SUTH, SUTM,
HRAO, HARB, SIMO), the three sites available
on the Somalian plate (MALI, SEY1, REUN), and We estimated the Nubia-ITRF2000 angular vel
one site in the EAR (MBAR). The results presented ocity by inverting horizontal velocities at sites
here include all the publicly available data from MAS1, NKLG, SUTH, SUTM and GOUG (Fig. 1).
August 1998 to April 2005. We processed the We formed the data covariance matrix using the
GPS data using the GAMIT software version 10.2 2-sigma velocity uncertainty (95% confidence) on
(King & Bock 2005). We solved for station coordi GPS velocities and their site-by-site NS-EW corre
nates, satellite state vectors, one tropospheric delay lation (i.e. we do not account for intersite corre
every four hours at each site, and phase ambiguities lations). We find a reduced y (Y divided by the
using double-differenced GPS phase measurements,
RMS of 0.7 mm a -I for horizontal velocities
degrees of freedom) close to unity with a weighted
with International GPS Service (IGS) final orbits
and International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) (Table 2). We then use an F-ratio statistic to test
Earth orientation parameters relaxed. We then com whether the velocity at additional sites in Africa is
bined our regional daily solutions with global Sol consistent with the rigid rotation defined by the pre
ution Independent Exchange (SINEX) files from vious subset of sites. The F-ratio, defined by:
the IGS daily processing routinely done at Scripps
X2(pz)/pz
ence frame by minimizing the position deviations of F
_
ition of the GPS site, V(vx, vy, vz) is the velocity with a Nubian plate model (defined by sites
vector at that site, and O(wx,Wy,wz) is the rotation MAS1, NKLG, SUTH, SUTM and GOUG) at a
vector defining the motion of the plate carrying 68% confidence level. This indicates that the rela
the site. For a number of sites on a given tive motion between the Zambia craton and the
(VXVZt3) (-Zt
plate, this cross product can be written in matrix stable Nubian plate is less than the residual
form as: velocity at ZAMB, or "'1 mm a -I. The same
F-ratio test with sites HRAO, HARB and RBAY
(F = [(12.87- 7.53)/(15- 7)]/[7.53/7] = 0.62,
0
a = 0.25) shows that these sites are consistent with
vyz =
the Nubian plate model defined above at a 75% con
Y1 fidence level. However, both HRAO and RBAY are
... ... separated from stable Nubia by the seismically
active Okavango Rift in Botswana (Modisi et al.
or 2000) and the Senqu Seismic Belt in South Africa
and Lesotho (Hartnady 1998) and may lie on a
V =
Ail(�) microplate separate from Nubia and Somalia
(Transgariep block of Hartnady 2002). We there
where V is the vector of observations with its associ fore did not use them in our final Nubia
ated covariance matrix � A the model matrix, and n
' ITRF2000 angular velocity estimate.
3
MBAR REUN
i�j �: : : �� � �· t ��I : �� I
I' �� ·M
��1 �: : : �- � �· II.�lll : � I
:�!1 i: � : , : SEYl
. 1,' 1 I :lll 1• -: �����·I
�
MALl
- = � �
--.39. 6
��1 �-�:-�· I
E 13.2
E
52 8
€-
0 ·1�:26.4�
26.4
Z-ss.s
.
-660 .,__,.__,..._..,... _,.
· .
. __, ... __,..._
.. ..,...
__.,
... _
- 129.
97.26
32 4 u��
1.�1 �-�M:-- ,�� I
E 64.a I ·�··
E
�· W""
•
�I'
''P .
32.4
U5
- 0.0
· .
U'j :::
-176. 4
E 132.3
:�1 ����-� I
.s 88.2
44.1
0.0
:::J
a. -44.1
·88.2
Fig. 2. Position time series for sites MBAR, REUN, MALI and SEY I, with one position per day and its associated
one-sigma formal error, shown with respect to the weighted mean of the entire time series. Each component (north
south, east-west, vertical) is shown separately.
4
Somalia-Nubia plate motion
Finally, we rotate the ITRF2000 velocities into a
Nubia-fixed frame using the Nubia-ITRF angular
velocity estimated with MAS l , NKLG, SUTH,
SUTM and GOUG. We use the Nubia-fixed vel
ocities at sites MBAR, MALI, SEY1 and REUN
1;l
]u
in the following kinematic analysis. In addition
to GPS velocities, we use slip vectors derived 0
from the 53 focal mechanisms determined from u
:§:§
different velocity at REUN (Fig. 1), rotated
counter-clockwise compared to our solution. This
zz
shifts their Somalia-Nubia Euler pole south com
pared to ours. The reason for the velocity difference
at REUN between the two solutions is unclear, as
5
20 25 30 35 40 45 so 55 60 65 20 25 30 35 40 45 so ss 60 65
15 - -- -
· ·· ,_,._ "''- ==· v;,w;o-N � _
. '.'t·
�,- -�-\ �� '<
�;};.t;JJ•?fi!J-�.
SOMALIAN PLATE SOMALIAN PLATE
0 0
"··
SE :r'l � SE�l
5 "'-- \..�
'
- "' �-
l
-1o ·. "',._,.-,� , • -1o !
� �
. . '"��""' �1... � � -5 \\ � ;
·'v • . U
·--···
..__.,; �
6
-15 J.j / (' ... l -rN!i-: c:_ !!:.! "'i! '/�',;'-"�'""'_._.a l. � -15 � �'--·-}:)] •Mif.j'.;j� V _s-·t , , �
�
-20 � : , -� REUN ., •
-20
•
�--
\ ....;'---:·. of .. �...
_. - · . .. I .· "! .i:':f' ' ' REUN'/ •
• -
.
.I
�·J;l_� .,. .� . .. ) . .·-."'- .--·�· ·
. \.-- .
_.
/" \-� ...-<:.z ·�. ::. • # .
Fig. 3. (a) Data used to quantify the present-day kinematics of the EAR: GPS velocities (arrows, shown with respect to Nubia) and earthquake slip vector directions (colour bars -
J
colour code indicates regional grouping). (b) Kinematic model of the EAR. Stars show the Euler pole of the Victoria plate and the associated 1-sigma error ell ipse. Arrows show
velocities predicted by our model along main branches of the EAR and at GPS sites.
they agree better for other sites. It may be due to the Kinematics of the EAR
shorter time series used by Fernandes et al. (2004),
which stops in mid-2003, or to possible volcanic The northernmost seismic belt of the EAR corre
deformation. However, the five-year-long position sponds to the Main Ethiopian Rift, a single bound
time series at REUN shows a linear displacement ary between Nubia and Somalia (Fig. 3a). Near the
over that time period (in spite of a data gap Ethiopia-Sudan-Kenya border lies a complex
between mid-2000 and mid-2001; Fig. 2), with no zone of deformation where the EAR overprints
clear indication of transient deformation due to Mesozoic to Palaeogene rifts (e.g. Hendrie et al.
volcanic processes. 1994). Seismicity is more diffuse and fault offsets
The reason for a difference between our Somalia are small in these poorly understood zones. South
Nubia estimate and Chu & Gordon's (1999) is less of about 3oN, teleseismic and tectonic activity
clear, but could reflect changes in the regional splits into two branches, the Eastern and Western
plate kinematics over the past 3 Ma (Calais et al. rifts (Fig. 3). Most of the teleseismic activity is con
2003), a time of propagating plate boundaries in centrated in the Western rift, which contains a rela
the Afar depression (e.g. Courtillot et al. 1999). tively small volume of volcanic material (e.g.
Clearly, additional measurements at more sites on Foster & Jackson 1998). On the contrary, the
the Somalian plate (e.g. eastern Ethiopia, Somalia, Eastern rift has eruptive centres along its length
Madagascar) are needed to firmly establish the and moderate seismic activity, except near its
present-day Somalia-Nubia motion. southern termination at the edge of the Tanzania
We then compared the observed velocity at site craton (e.g. Nyblade & Langston 1995; Foster &
MBAR with the one predicted by the Somalia Jackson 1998). The Western rift wraps around the
Nubia angular velocity defined above (Fig. 3a). Archean Tanzania craton and connects southward
Site MBAR shows a significantly smaller magni with the Malawi rift via the reactivated Mesozoic
tude than predicted and is rotated clockwise, in a Rukwa rift. Seisrnicity and field evidence for
direction close to earthquake slip vectors along active deformation along the Malawi rift end
the Western rift. This is consistent with the fact between 20° S and 25° S (Fig. 3). Other seismic
that MBAR is located on cratonic lithosphere belts include a narrow, north-south trending zone
within the Nubia-Somalia plate boundary zone, of seismicity along the Davie Ridge in the Mozam
east of the Western rift. In addition, Figure 3a bique channel (Grimison & Chen 1988) and the
shows that earthquake slip vector directions are NE-SW trending Mweru and Zambezi rifts on
constant or vary smoothly along each of the major both sides of the Early Proterozoic Zambia
tectonic segments of the EAR (thin coloured (Bangweulu) block.
arrows on Fig. 3a), as also observed by Foster & These seismic belts bound broad areas mostly
Jackson (1998), but are inconsistent with the pre devoid of seismic activity. A northern block,
dicted Nubia-Somalia plate motion direction centred on the Tanzania Archaean craton and
along most of the EAR (thick orange arrows on bounded by the western and eastern branches of
Fig. 3b). These misfits between GPS velocities or the EAR, has been referred to as the Victoria
earthquake slip vector directions and Somalia (Kaz'min et al. 1987) or Ukerewe-Nyanza
Nubia plate motion models indicate plate boundary (Hartnady 2002; Hartnady & Mlisa 2004) block
zone deformation between Nubia and Somalia, in (Fig. 3b). A southern block, bounded to the west
the form of continuously distributed strain or of by the Malawi rift and to the east by the Davie
rigid block motions. Ridge, has been previously identified as the
Seismicity, active faulting and volcanism in Rovuma block (Hartnady 2002). The eastern
the EAR are generally localized to the 50-80 boundary of this block may encompass parts of
km-wide Ethiopian rift, and the Western and Madagascar, where earthquake slip vectors have a
Eastern rift valleys that bound the unfaulted and similar direction as along the Davie Ridge
relatively aseismic Tanzania craton (Fig. 3). (Fig. 3a). The boundary between the Victoria and
Seismic tomography models reveal a 200- Rovuma blocks is less clear as it is not well
250 km-deep keel beneath this small Archaean expressed in the seismicity or by recent faulting.
craton (Ritsema et al. 1998). We discuss hereafter Localized deformation occurs in the Usangu and
a possible microplate geometry, on the basis of seis Ruhuhu grabens (Fig. 3a), where seismic reflection,
motectonic data, and test this hypothesis by jointly field, gravity and remote sensing data indicate
inverting GPS and earthquake slip vector data for a recent extension along morphologically young
three-plate kinematic model. We do not attempt to normal faults that connect further north with the
account for the belts of seismicity and faulting Eastern rift (Harper et al. 1999; Le Gall et al. 2004).
west of Lakes Rukwa and Nyasa (Malawi) We estimate angular velocities for Somalia and
(Fig. 3a), where the lack of data would make the Victoria with respect to Nubia by simultaneously
analysis too speculative. inverting GPS velocities at sites MBAR (Victoria
7
block) and REUN, SEY1 and MALI (Somalian eastern border (around 42o W / 1 2° S, Fig. 4a) can
plate) with earthquake slip vectors along the Main be drawn using the Somalia-Nubia velocity,
Ethiopian Rift (Somalia-Nubia boundary), the known from GPS data (see above), and the
Western rift (Victoria-Nubia boundary) and the azimuth of the Somalia-Rovuma motion, given
Eastern rift (Victoria-Somalia boundary). We by the average slip vector direction on the Davie
use a 20° standard deviation for earthquake slip Ridge. Given that the magnitude of the latter
vector directions, the 2a- standard deviation for vector is not known, the Rovuma-N ubia vector
GPS velocities, and impose plate circuit closure in can be anywhere between N95° W if the
the inversion. Results are given in Table 2 and Somalia-Rovuma motion is close to zero (i.e.
shown on Figures 1 and 3B. The reduced I is 100% of the Somalia-Nubia motion is taken up
close to unity, meaning that a three-plate model is in the Malawi rift), to N1 70oW if the Somalia
consistent with the data within their uncertainties. Rovuma motion is close to Somalia-Nubia in
We find a Somalia-Nubia velocity statistically magnitude (i.e. 100% of the Somalia-Nubia
similar to the two-plate inversion above, which is motion is taken up on the eastern boundary of
expected because no additional data are used to the Rovuma plate). According to earthquake
define the Somalian plate motion. We find that the magnitudes from the 30-year global NEIC
kinematics of the Victoria block can be described catalogue, seismic strain release has been larger
by a counter-clockwise rotation with respect to at the Malawi rift than along the Davie Ridge,
Nubia about a pole located in NE Sudan (Fig. 3b). suggesting larger displacement rates on the
Equivalently, its kinematics with respect to western boundary of the Rovuma plate than on
Somalia can be described by a counter-clockwise its eastern boundary. If this is representative of
rotation about a pole located in northern Zambia longer-term strain, then the Rovuma-Nubia
(Fig. 3b). velocity along the Davie Ridge is closer to
Figure 3b shows the extension direction and rate east-west than north-south. In any case, the
predicted by our model along the eastern and Rovuma-Nubia plate motion vector at the
western branches of the EAR, which we assumed eastern boundary of the Rovuma plate around
to represent the boundaries of the Victoria micro 42° W /12° S must be pointing in a southeast
plate. We find that 2 to 5 mm a -l, or 40 to 100% quadrant (Fig. 4). This, together with the ENE
of the total Somalia-Nubia plate motion, is accom directed slip vectors along the western boundary
modated by extension across the Western rift, with of that plate (Malawi rift), implies a clockwise
present-day rates increasing from north to south. rotation of Rovuma with respect to Nubia.
Our model predicts oblique extension in the Given the lack of significant active deformation
Albert rift at the northern end of the Western rift, features at the boundary between the Victoria and
consistent with seismic reflection data showing a Rovuma plates, could the data used here be fit
significant strike-slip component (Abeinomugisha equally well with a single plate encompassing Vic
& Mugisha 2004). Conversely, 3.5 to 1 mm a -I, toria and Rovuma? The c. 45° systematic differ
or 60 to 20% of the total Somalia-Nubia plate ence in earthquake slip vector directions along
motion, is accommodated by extension across the the Western and Malawi branches (Fig. 3a)
Eastern rift, with rates decreasing from north to argues for two distinct plates. This can be fmther
south. This southward decrease of the extension quantified by testing whether slip vectors along
rate is consistent with the decrease in seismicity the Malawi rift are consistent with a single plate
and with the progressive disappearance of promi model. Including the Malawi rift slip vectors in a
nent active faults southward along the eastern Nubia-[Victoria+ Rovuma]-Somalia inversion
branch, as it propagates into cold cratonic domain gives a I of 63.9 for 14 additional degrees of
(Le Gall et al. 2004). freedom (14 additional slip vector data). Using
The kinematics of the Rovuma block cannot be values from Table 2 (row 4), this leads to an
fully quantified because there are no GPS data to F-test value of 1.3, corresponding to a = 0.77.
estimate its rotation rate. However, earthquake Hence, the hypothesis that the data fit equally
slip vector directions and aligned chains of well a single Victoria + Rovuma plate can be
Quaternary eruptive centres along the Malawi rift rejected at a 77% confidence level. This confidence
(Rovuma-Nubia boundary) and the Davie ridge, level increases as a priori uncertainties on slip
the assumed Rovuma-Somalia boundary, provide vector directions are lowered (we used 20° here).
some first-order constraints. ENE-directed slip The counter-clockwise rotation of Victoria and
vectors along the Malawi rift provide the direction clockwise rotation of Rovuma (with respect to
of motion of the Rovuma block with respect to Nubia) found here may actually explain the lack
Nubia along the western border of the Rovuma of well-expressed active faults and seismicity
block (Fig. 4b; Brazier et al.; Ebinger et al. along their common boundary, as schematically
1989). A velocity triangle for a point on its shown on Fig. 5.
8
® ··\>
azimuth= average of earthquake slip vectors
�
� ·
- - - ;;::··· · · \
between Rovuma and Somalia
?
magnitude= unknown, but less than ·
Rovuma
Nubia-Somalia
�
S omali
rr-,<1/tv.116· '' :·:
Nubia
30 35 40 4S so ss
-5
-10
·1 5
-20
Nubictn
Plate
Fig. 4. Kinematics of the Rovuma block. (a) Velocity triangle for a location on the Rovuma-Somalia boundary
around 42° N/ 12° S. (b) Zoom on the Rovuma plate. Large arrows show relative plate motions along its western and
eastern boundaries (Malawi rift and Davie Ridge, respectively). They imply a CW rotation of Rovuma with respect to
Nubia. Coloured arrows show earthquake slip vectors. Seismicity (NEIC catalog) is shown in background.
vectors show a consistent NW-SE trend. This seis and less than 5 Ma for the Eastern rift; Ebinger
micity has been interpreted as delineating an et al. 1997; Ebinger 1 989; Abeinomugisha &
additional microplate (Transgariep block of Mugisha, 2004), the values found here lead to a
Hartnady 2002). However, GPS station ZAMB, maximum finite extension of about 30 km for
located on that potential microplate, does not the Western rift and 15 to 0 km (from north to
show any significant relative motion with respect south) for the Eastern rift. These values are at
to Nubia. In addition, active tectonic features least twice the 15 km cumulative extension
along the Zambia and Mweru rifts (Fig. 2a) have derived from reconstructions of surface fault
a limited length and do not delineate a continuous geometries (Morley 1988; Ebinger 1989) and
plate boundary. These observations do not preclude cantilever models of gravity and topography
a relative motion of the Zambian craton with (Karner et al. 2000). The difference might be
respect to Nubia, but it must happen at very slow indicative of slower extension rates during the
rates, less than 1-2 mm a- 1. earlier phase of rifting.
9
Victoria/Nubia pole tectonically since the Archaean, except for minor
reheating attested by Tertiary kimberlites (e.g.,
Chesley et al. 1999). Seismic, xenolith and gravity
data show that the lithosphere of the Tanzanian
craton is colder and stronger than surrounding ora
genic belts (e.g. Ebinger et al. 1997; Ritsema et al.
I 1998), and is underlain by a 170-250 km-thick
:vict.
I
lithospheric keel (Nyblade et al. 2000; Weeraratne
et al. 2003; Debayle et al. 2005).
�
Viscous coupling between the convecting mantle
:
zero relative motion and the lithosphere has been proposed as a signifi
between Victoria and Rovuma P cant driving force (either active or resistive) for
at point P plate motions, in particular in cratonic domains
where a deep lithospheric keel is embedded in the
�
: Rov.
convecting mantle (e.g. Ziegler 1992; Bokelmann
2002; Fouch et al. 2002; Sleep et al. 2002). Fouch
I et al.'s models (2002) predict focusing of flow
around the boundaries of the keel which match
anisotropy patterns determined in SKS-splitting
observations from North America. Sleep et al.
-{;:{
I
(2002) followed with the case of a mantle upwelling
and a cratonic keel, demonstrating the strong
Rovuma-Nubia pole focusing effect and directionality in both decom
pression melting and anisotropy. But without a con
Fig. 5. Schematic kinematic diagram showing the sensus on the present location of plume stem(s) (e.g.
counter-clockwise rotation of Victoria and clockwise Weeraratne et al. 2003; Furman et al. this volume
rotation of Rovuma (with respect to Nubia). In the
Rogers, this volume), we cannot easily compare
configuration shown here, the relative motion at point P
models and observations (e.g. Walker et al. 2004;
along their common boundary is null.
Kendall et al. this volume).
Seismic anisotropy measurements and azimuthal
variations in surface wave models provide indepen
The GPS dataset used here is clearly limited, but dent constraints on upper mantle flow beneath East
it correlates well with earthquake slip vectors. The Africa and its possible interaction with the Tanzania
combined interpretation of the two data sets is craton (Fig. 6; Kendall et al. this volume; Gao et al.
consistent with a plate boundary model where 1997; Walker et al. 2004). Local, surface wave, and
deformation of the African plate is restricted to SKS-splitting measurements along the Ethiopian
the narrow rift valleys, and the surrounding and Eastern rifts show that strong, rift-parallel, ani
lithospheric blocks remain undeforrned. These sotropy is primarily due to aligned melt zones in the
kinematic data are consistent with tomographic mantle lithosphere (Kendall et al. 2005; Kendall
models that also show lithospheric thinning and et al. this volume). Azimuthal variations in
heating restricted to 100-150 km-wide zones surface wave models show sub-lithospheric fast
beneath the faulted Ethiopian and Eastern rift shear waves coherently oriented in a NE direction
valleys (e.g. Green et al. 1991; Ritsema et al. from Tanzania to the Red Sea (Debayle et al.
1998; Bastow et al. 2005). 2005) and near-radial orientations from a possible
The identification of rigid lithospheric blocks that plume stem beneath Lake Eyasi (Weeraratne et al.
are kinematically independent from the Nubian or 2003). Overall, seismic anisotropy fast directions
Somalian plates raises the question of the mechan in east Africa paral1el the trend of the deep
ism that drives their motion. The Ethiopian and African superplume, but not the WNW motion of
Eastern rift systems form a diachronous but nearly the African plate in a hot-spot frame (Fig. 6). At a
contiguous belt that passes along the eastern side larger scale, Behn et al. (2004) explain SKS split
of the Tanzania craton. But what drives extension ting observations on islands surrounding Africa
in the magma-poor Western rift system? A possible with density-driven upwelling flow from the
model stemming from studies of interactions African superplume and its interactions with a
between the cratonic keel and mantle flow provides moving plate. Thus, existing data show both a
insights into this problems. The core of the Victoria strong signal from asthenosphere and mantle litho
microplate is the 2.5-3 Ga Tanzania craton (Fig. 3b; sphere, as well as regional variations in flow direc
Cahen et al. 1984), an assemblage of metamorphic tion around the margins of the deep-rooted
and granitic terranes that has remained undisturbed Tanzania craton.
10
30 35 40
-5
-10
Fig. 6. Existing anisotropy data in the central part of the EAR. Red bars are from SKS shear-wave splitting data
(Gao et al. 1997; Walker et al. 2004; Barruol & Ismail 2001), blue bars are from a surface wave study for a depth of
200 km (Debayle et al., 2005). Green arrows show the current African plate motion in a hot-spot frame (Gripp &
Gordon 2002).
On the basis of the asthenosphere-lithosphere asthenospheric flow (e.g. Stoddard & Abbott
flow models and anisotropy analyses, we propose 1996; Sleep et al. 2002; Fig. 7).
that the independent motion of the Victoria plate The NE-directed sublithospheric flow driven by
shown in this study results from a combination of the African Superplume upwelling acting on the
along-axis mantle flow and increased drag exerted Tanzanian craton keel, thickest in its southern part
on the Tanzania craton lithospheric keel by (Debayle et al. 2005), may force a counter
viscous coupling with normal or enhanced clockwise rotation of the craton, consistent with
11
Western Eastern
Rift Rift
/ Somalian
Plate
Tanzania
Craton
7•
Fig. 7. Interpretative block diagram across the central part of the EAR. Viscous coupling between NE-directed
asthenospheric flow driven by the African Superplume and the Tanzanian craton keel may force a counter-clockwise
rotation of the craton, consistent with our preliminary kinematic data. The magma-poor Western rift accommodates
differential movement of the deep-keeled Victoria plate, whereas the magma-rich Eastern rift formed in response to
focused mantle flow with hot asthenosphere possibly ponding below thinned lithosphere.
our preliminary kinematic data. If confirmed, this M. Abdelselam, S. Klemperer and Gezahegn Yirgu for
differential rotation of the Victoria microplate can making this event possible. We thank M. Kendall, B. Le
explain the origin and geometry of the enigmatic Gall, J. Rolet, J. Deverchere and W. Vetel for insightful
discussions on the East African Rift, R. Gordon for
Westem rift system without requiring a complex
reviewing an early version of this manuscript, and
mechanism of stress transfer from the Eastem rift
C. Vigny and Z. Garfunkel for their constructive
(Nyblade & Brazier 2002). In this model, the comments.
magma-poor Westem rift accommodates differen
tial movement of the deep-keeled Victoria plate,
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