Update (15 March 2015):
I later found this interesting page that exploits GMT features to draw fault type as well. Worth a look!
Original:
I looked all over the Internet for the latest plate boundaries data that I could easily plot up in GMT. I had not luck finding a simple file so I created this xy file.
You can run it with something like
Below Code language = “bash”
#!/bin/sh
#
# Purpose:Â Â Â Plot the Plate Boundaries from Bird 2003
# GMT progs:Â Â gmtset, psbasemap, pscoast, psxy
psfile=plateboundaries
# set gmt defaults
gmt gmtset MAP_GRID_CROSS_SIZE_PRIMARY 0 FONT_ANNOT_PRIMARY 10p
# basemap for background
gmt psbasemap -R0/6/0/3 -Jx1i -B0 -P -K > $psfile.ps
# plot coastlines
gmt pscoast -Rg -JH0/6i -W0.25p -Slightblue -Glightbrown -Dc -U -P -K >> $psfile.ps
# plot Bird 2002 plate boundaries
gmt psxy Bird2002_pb.xy -Rg -JH0/6i -Wred -P -O >> $psfile.ps
The data come from here http://peterbird.name/publications/2003_PB2002/2003_PB2002.htm