A new and uniformly processed GNSS-velocity field for Turkey

The Anatolia–Aegean domain represents a broad plate boundary zone, with the deformation accommodated by major faults bounding quasi-low deforming units. The main characteristics of the Anatolia-Aegean deformation were identified using a GNSS-derived velocity field. Recent advancements in GNSS measurements and networks have improved the spatial resolution of the Anatolia-Aegean deformation field, however, for a better understanding of the deformation, interstation distances that are smaller than fault-locking depth and consistent data processing using a single reference system are needed. Our goal is to address this gap and produce a uniform velocity solution.

In this study, we processed the time series of 836 stations, of which 178 are published for the first time with sub-millimeter accuracy. With a period of up to 28 years, we present the most accurate velocity field with increased spatial and temporal resolution and homogeneity. We used the improved coverage of the velocity field to calculate strain accumulation on the North and East Anatolian Faults.  Modeled slip rates vary between 20 and 26 mm/yr and 9.7 and 11 mm/yr for the North and East Anatolian faults, respectively. Further analysis of the data can help better understand the kinematics of continental deformation in general, and test outstanding hypotheses about the kinematics and dynamics of the Anatolia - Aegean domain in particular.