Earthquake focal mechanism and oceanic thrust in Easter microplate analogy with Oman ophiolite

Previous work has suggested compression and thrust faulting along the northern boundary of the Easter microplate due to its motion relative to the Nazca plate. Inversion of the P and SH seismic waves related to a recent M-s=7.1 earthquake located along the northern boundary of the Easter microplate indicates a thin sliver of crust thrusting at a shallow angle towards the South, giving support to this interpretation. The Oman ophiolite where similar thrusts have been mapped has been recently interpreted as being derived from similar microplate environment [Boudier et al., 1997]. This interpretation 1) provides possible tests to document the existence of oceanic thrusts near microplates, and 2) suggests a new solution to the problem of how many ophiolites could have obtained oceanic detachment faults which will favour obduction.