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Earthquake, Tsunami, and the Seismic Cycle - with GPS

Animation of seismic cycle, showing subduction of oceanic tectonic plate and resulting deformation of upper continental tectonic plate.

GPS data shows horizontal and vertical motion of ocean floor (steady motion throughout), island (gradually sinking, then suddenly popping up), shore (gradually rising, then suddenly sinking) and mainland (fixed in one position).

See version without GPS

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Tectonics Observatory :: California Institute of Technology
Last updated: September 25, 2009 :: Contact Us