Constraining the Kinematics of the Victoria Microplate and the Northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System

Abstract The fragmentation of continents results in microplates that rotate to accommodate the lateral propagation of bounding rifts. Yet, the relationships between microplate rotation rates, fault slip, and kinematics at propagating rift tips remain unknown. Here, we analyze new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data and structural geology data from the northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System that defines part of the boundary between the Nubian plate and the Victoria microplate. We resolve 0.0583 ± 0.0293°/Myr (6.48 ± 3.26 mm/yr) counterclockwise rotation of the Victoria microplate, consistent with previous studies, but with significant northwestward shift in the Euler pole relative to earlier work. Strain is largely localized on microplate‐bounding faults with 1.8–2.2 mm/yr slip rates, 7.2 × 10 −8 –1.28 × 10 −7 y −1 strain rates, NE‐directed extension, and oblique‐normal fault kinematics. Most GNSS velocities are consistent with block rigidity, but three sites in the NW region of the Victoria microplate indicate possible internal deformation.

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Publication Details

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Published
2025-10-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gl116301
Primary Topic
Geological formations and processes
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Constraining the Kinematics of the Victoria Microplate and the Northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System

Joan Nakajigo, Emmanuel A. Njinju, Andrew Katumwehe, Asenath Kwagalakwe et al.
Geophysical Research Letters
Geological formations and processes
article

Constraining the Kinematics of the Victoria Microplate and the Northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System

Joan Nakajigo, Emmanuel A. Njinju, Andrew Katumwehe, Asenath Kwagalakwe, Eliot A. Atekwana, F. Tugume, Elifuraha Saria, Albert Kabanda, John Mary Kiberu, Joseph Nyago, Estella A. Atekwana, D. Sarah Stamps, Mike Taylor, Peter H. Barry, Folarin Kolawole, G. Kianji
article en

Abstract

Abstract The fragmentation of continents results in microplates that rotate to accommodate the lateral propagation of bounding rifts. Yet, the relationships between microplate rotation rates, fault slip, and kinematics at propagating rift tips remain unknown. Here, we analyze new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data and structural geology data from the northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System that defines part of the boundary between the Nubian plate and the Victoria microplate. We resolve 0.0583 ± 0.0293°/Myr (6.48 ± 3.26 mm/yr) counterclockwise rotation of the Victoria microplate, consistent with previous studies, but with significant northwestward shift in the Euler pole relative to earlier work. Strain is largely localized on microplate‐bounding faults with 1.8–2.2 mm/yr slip rates, 7.2 × 10 −8 –1.28 × 10 −7 y −1 strain rates, NE‐directed extension, and oblique‐normal fault kinematics. Most GNSS velocities are consistent with block rigidity, but three sites in the NW region of the Victoria microplate indicate possible internal deformation.

Geophysical Research LettersVol. 52(20)
Northwestern University (US), Oklahoma State University (US), University of Nairobi (KE), Planetary Science Institute (US), Ardhi University (TZ), University of Kansas (US), Baylor University (US), California State University, Northridge (US), City University of New York (US), Earth Island Institute (US), Geological Survey Department (CY), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (US), Makerere University (UG), University of California, Davis (US), Virginia Tech (US)
National Science Foundation
Openalex Percentile: Top 69%
Geological formations and processes
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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