Current deformation in Hispaniola from InSAR--derived surface velocities

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Authors: Bryan Raimbault, Romain Jolivet, Eric Calais, Steeve Symithe, Christian Emmanuel
Cited by: 1

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