9418784 Wernicke This is a project involving the installation and monitoring of a continuous GPS network across the Basin and Range. The scientific goal is to determine whether the geodetically determined strain is concentrated within bands of historically high seismic moment release, consistent with the elastic rebound theory, or is spread out in a more diffuse manner. Until now, both land- and space- based geodetic techniques have had limited success in resolving heterogeneity in intraplate strain accumulation, because the slip rates along intraplate fault zones are usually at or below the level of resolution for conventional GPS or land-based surveys, or about 1mm/yr. However, with the technique of continuous GPS monitoring, rates of 1mm/yr are resolvable in less than five years. With appropriate network design, a high-resolution kinematic image of an entire diffuse orogen is now within reach. ***
