A comparison of GPS solutions for strain and SKS fast directions: Implications for modes of shear in the mantle of a plate boundary zone

The strain rate and vertical velocity fields for New Zealand are computed using GPS data from GEONET (NZ) collected during the past decade. Two domains for shear in the mantle are inferred by comparing the principal shortening direction with the fast direction of shear wave splitting. Beneath the central-southern part of the South Island the strains are low and its unclear if irrotational strain is taking place or if the splitting here is dominated by anisotropy in the asthenosphere. In contrast, data for the central and northern South Island suggest simple shear is dominant and distributed over a zone 200 km wide. An analysis of the major strike-slip faults confirms that the strike of the major South Island fault systems makes a 60±15° angle with the shortening direction. A map of the vertical component of GEONET GPS velocities shows regions of surface uplift >5mm/y in both the central South and North Islands. While the pattern of uplift in central South Island is consistent with known geology, the rate of uplift in the central North Island is an order of magnitude higher than the geological rate estimated on a my time scale.

► We compute the strain rate in New Zealand from the GEONET GPS velocity field. ► We compare the axis of compression from the GPS velocity field with the fast axis of SKS splitting. ► We show that, in some areas, mantle deformation and present-day crustal tectonic strongly related.