Changes

[[GPS]] technology and data was also introduced in an effort to show with certainty the difference between the Somali Plate and the Nubian Plate.  Using the GPS data, researchers could measure the velocity of tectonic plates from their interiors.<ref name=Nocquet&Calais>Nocquet, J.-M., and E. Calais, 2003, Crustal velocity field of western Europe from permanent GPS array solutions, 1996-2001: Geophysical Journal International, vol. 154, issue 1, pp. 72–88. doi:10.1046/j.1365-246X.2003.01935.x</ref><ref name=Altamimietal>Altamimi, Z., L. Métivier, and X. Collilieux, 2012, ITRF2008 plate motion model: Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 117, issue B7. doi:10.1029/2011JB008930</ref><ref name=Calaisetal2006ab>Calais, E., L. Dong, M. Wang, Z. Shen, and M. Vergnolle, 2006, Continental deformation in Asia from a combined GPS solution: Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 33. doi:10.1029/2006GL028433</ref>

[[GPS]] technology and data was also introduced in an effort to show with certainty the difference between the Somali Plate and the Nubian Plate.  Using the GPS data, researchers could measure the velocity of tectonic plates from their interiors.<ref name=Nocquet&Calais>Nocquet, J.-M., and E. Calais, 2003, Crustal velocity field of western Europe from permanent GPS array solutions, 1996-2001: Geophysical Journal International, vol. 154, issue 1, pp. 72–88. doi:10.1046/j.1365-246X.2003.01935.x</ref><ref name=Altamimietal>Altamimi, Z., L. Métivier, and X. Collilieux, 2012, ITRF2008 plate motion model: Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 117, issue B7. doi:10.1029/2011JB008930</ref><ref name=Calaisetal2006ab>Calais, E., L. Dong, M. Wang, Z. Shen, and M. Vergnolle, 2006, Continental deformation in Asia from a combined GPS solution: Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 33. doi:10.1029/2006GL028433</ref>

The existence of the Lwandle Plate was first quantified using the Lwandle-Antarctica-Nubia plate circuit closure constrained by spreading rates and transform azimuths along the [[Southwest Indian Ridge]]. Mathematical plate circuit closure is attained while including the existence of Lwandle; using plate circuit closure, plate velocities can be calculated from the velocities of other plates.<ref name=H-JETAL /><ref name=Fowler>Fowler, C. M. R., 2006, The solid earth: an introduction to global geophysics, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521893077.</ref>

The existence of the Lwandle Plate was first quantified using the Lwandle-Antarctica-Nubia plate circuit closure constrained by spreading rates and transform [[azimuth]]s along the [[Southwest Indian Ridge]]. Mathematical plate circuit closure is attained while including the existence of Lwandle; using plate circuit closure, plate velocities can be calculated from the velocities of other plates.<ref name=H-JETAL /><ref name=Fowler>Fowler, C. M. R., 2006, The solid earth: an introduction to global geophysics, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521893077.</ref>

In 2008, the entire East African Rift System was successfully "quantified" through the integration of the GPS and earthquake data with the spreading rate and transform azimuth constraints.<ref name=Stampsetal />

In 2008, the entire East African Rift System was successfully "quantified" through the integration of the GPS and earthquake data with the spreading rate and transform azimuth constraints.<ref name=Stampsetal />