Observations of strain accumulation across the San Andreas fault near Palmdale, California, with a two-color geodimeter

J. O. Langbein; Mark F. Linker; Art McGarr; L.E. Slater

doi:10.1126/science.218.4578.1217

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Observations of strain accumulation across the San Andreas fault near Palmdale, California, with a two-color geodimeter

J. O. Langbein·Mark F. Linker·Art McGarr·L.E. Slater

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Abstract

Two-color laser ranging measurements during a 15-month period over a geodetic network spanning the San Andreas fault near Palmdale, California, indicate that the crust expands and contracts aseismically in episodes as short as 2 weeks. Shear strain parallel to the fault has accumulated monotonically since November 1980, but at a variable rate. Improvements in measurement precision and temporal resolution over those of previous geodetic studies near Palmdale have resulted in the definition of a time history of crustal deformation that is much more complex than formerly realized.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 34.4219217636459° to 34.68870717706383° latitude; -118.30562871689312° to -117.83870452454481° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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J. O. Langbein, Mark F. Linker, Art McGarr, L.E. Slater. 1982. Observations of strain accumulation across the San Andreas fault near Palmdale, California, with a two-color geodimeter. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.218.4578.1217

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