GPS Measurements of Crustal Movement in the Indo‐Myanmar Ranges: Computation of Euler Vectors and Implications on the Deformation Mechanism of the Range

ABSTRACT Kinematics and deformation of the Indo‐Myanmar Ranges (IMR) play a crucial role in deciphering the processes that shape crustal evolution. An effective approach is to evaluate the crustal movement and deformation mechanism of the IMR from GPS measurements of relative plate motion. A total of 47 GPS stations located in and around the IMR reveal an approximate relative velocity of 4.15 cm/year moving towards N50°E. This study applied graphical and mathematical methods to derive Euler vectors from GPS linear motions. The derived pole of rotation is located at 37°N latitude and 80°E longitude with an angular velocity of 1.32667 × 10 −6 degrees/year. To further elucidate the present‐day plate kinematics and deformation mechanism of the IMR, the N50°E motion vector was resolved into two components at 45° with respect to this primary regional motion vector, giving rise to compression and extension directions along N095° and N005°, respectively, showing that the range evolved through a dextral shear‐coupling deformation mechanism. Deformation patterns of baseline lengths from Imphal to stations on the eastern and western sides indicate an E–W compressional regime, while stations situated to the north suggest a N–S extensional field quite compatible with the deformation mechanism of the IMR.