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Earthquake Geology of Myanmar

Citation

Wang, Yu (2013) Earthquake Geology of Myanmar. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/XWW2-9P26. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06062013-135816595

Abstract

This thesis describes the active structures of Myanmar and its surrounding regions, and the earthquake geology of the major active structures. Such investigation is needed urgently for this rapidly developing country that has suffered from destructive earthquakes in its long history. To archive a better understanding of the regional active tectonics and the seismic potential in the future, we utilized a global digital elevation model and optical satellite imagery to describe geomorphologic evidence for the principal neotectonic features of the western half of the Southeast Asia mainland. Our investigation shows three distinct active structural systems that accommodate the oblique convergence between the Indian plate and Southeast Asia and the extrusion of Asian territory around the eastern syntaxis of the Himalayan mountain range. Each of these active deformation belts can be further separated into several neotectonic domains, in which structures show distinctive active behaviors from one to another.

In order to better understand the behaviors of active structures, we focused on the active characteristics of the right-lateral Sagaing fault and the oblique subducting northern Sunda megathrust in the second part of this thesis. The detailed geomorphic investigations along these two major plate-interface faults revealed the recent slip behavior of these structures, and plausible recurrence intervals of major seismic events. We also documented the ground deformation of the 2011 Tarlay earthquake in remote eastern Myanmar from remote sensing datasets and post-earthquake field investigations. The field observation and the remote sensing measurements of surface ruptures of the Tarlay earthquake are the first study of this kind in the Myanmar region.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Active Tectonics; Earthquake Geology; Burma; Myanmar; 1762 earthquake; 1930 Pegu earthquake; 1912 Burma earthquake; 2011 Tarlay earthquake
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Geological and Planetary Sciences
Major Option:Geology
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Avouac, Jean-Philippe (advisor)
  • Sieh, Kerry E. (advisor)
Thesis Committee:
  • Saleeby, Jason B. (chair)
  • Stock, Joann M.
  • Ampuero, Jean-Paul
  • Avouac, Jean-Philippe
  • Sieh, Kerry E.
Defense Date:30 May 2013
Non-Caltech Author Email:wangyu79 (AT) live.com
Additional Information:Supplemental Files Information: Neotectonic map of Myanmar (Burma): Supplement 1 from "Earthquake geology of Myanmar" (Thesis).
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Moore FoundationUNSPECIFIED
Earth Observatory of SingaporeUNSPECIFIED
National Science Council (NSC) of Taiwan99-2116-M-002-009
National Science Council (NSC) of Taiwan100-2116-M-002-005
National Science Council (NSC) of Taiwan101-2116-M-002-013
National Science Council (NSC) of Taiwan100-2116-M-002-009
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:06062013-135816595
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06062013-135816595
DOI:10.7907/XWW2-9P26
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.22002/D1.1067DOISupplement 1 in CaltechDATA: Neotectonic map of Myanmar (Burma)
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:7853
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Yu Wang
Deposited On:07 Jun 2013 23:32
Last Modified:12 Nov 2021 20:26

Thesis Files

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PDF (Full thesis) - Final Version
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36MB
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PDF (Cover page and Contents) - Final Version
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137kB
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PDF (Ch 1. Introduction) - Final Version
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12kB
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PDF (Ch 2. Neotectonics of Myanmar) - Final Version
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6MB
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PDF (Ch 3. 1930 Pegu earthquake) - Final Version
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PDF (Ch 4. 1762 Arakan earthquake) - Final Version
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PDF (Ch 5. 2011 Myanmar earthquake rupture) - Final Version
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6MB
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PDF (Ch 6. 2011 Myanmar earthquake InSAR) - Final Version
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3MB
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PDF (Appendix ) - Final Version
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Image (JPEG) (High-resolution neotectonic map of Myanmar) - Supplemental Material
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14MB

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