Modeled continuous velocity fieldModeled strain rate magnitudes Surface Deformation of Alaska Evidence for a rigid Bering plate Extension in northwestern Alaska and eastern Russia Extrusion toward northwestern Canada Deformation propagates far inboard from the plate margin 500 km Finzel et al. (2011) Yellow vectors from PBO and others Red vectors, continuous model velocity field Area of inferred Yakutat flat slab subduction

A New Deformation Model for Alaska and Western Canada New perspective on Alaska Finzel et al. (2011) Old Alaskan paradigm 500 km Yakutat microplate Highly deforming regions Abundant seismicity, high gradients in the modeled velocity field, high strain rate magnitudes Relatively rigid regions Sparse seismicity, very small gradients in the modeled velocity field, low strain rate magnitudes

Contributions to our understanding of the Alaskan convergent margin A new kinematic model for Alaska and western Canada, including the location and nature of the present day plate boundaries in the region that includes: Evidence for a rigid Bering plate Extension in northwestern Alaska and eastern Russia Extrusion toward northwestern Canada Deformation propagates far inboard from the plate margin Finzel et al. 2011