Current deformation in Hispaniola from InSAR--derived surface velocities
Abstract
The oblique convergence between the Caribbean and North American plates is accommodated, in Hispaniola, by left-lateral strike-slip on two major left--lateral fault systems and by intra-arc shortening. We apply a Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSInSAR) approach to Sentinel-1 data using six tracks acquired between 2016 and 2023 to generate time series of interseismic velocities over the entire island. We merge the resulting ascending and descending tracks with GNSS--derived velocities to determine a spatially-continuous 3D velocity field that documents deformation gradients across large fault systems. The Enriquillo fault fits a single locked--fault model, while the Septentrional one likely involves several sub--faults. Strain in southeastern Haiti and the southwestern Dominican Republic is well modeled by the J\'er\'emie-Malpasse-Bahoruco oblique reverse fault-system , which represents a significant, but overlooked, regional hazard source.
Fields of Study & Subjects
earthquake and tectonic studies
Geological and Geophysical Studies Worldwide
Geological and Tectonic Studies in Latin America
Publication details
- Publisher
- California Digital Library (CDL)
- Publication date
- 11 May 2026
- Document type
- Preprint