Tectonic Plate Motion

Continuous observations at GPS reference stations worldwide permits the monitoring of tectonic plate motion.  The North American Tectonic plate rotates in a counter-clockwise direction at a rate of approximately 2 cm per year. Two regions of Canada experience major regional seismic and tectonic activity: the West Coast and the Lower St-Laurence valley.

The horizontal rate of tectonic plate motion of the ITRF2000 predictions is presented on a map of North America. The values show a counter-clockwise rotation at a rate of approximately 2cm per year.

North American tectonic plate motion


Source

  • "Crustal Motion and Deformation Monitoring of the Canadian Landmass" in Geomatica [PDF, 25.1 Mb, viewer] VOLUME 60 NUMBER 2, 2006 (CSRS Issue)