Cyprus sits at the plate boundary between Anatolia in the north and Africa in the south, at a transition from oceanic subduction in the west to continental strike-slip and collision tectonics in the east. The nature of the plate boundary at Cyprus has been historically controversial and poorly understood, in part due to a lack of constraints on local seismicity. Ongoing subduction of either oceanic or continental African lithosphere is argued, with some invoking subduction of the Eratosthenes Seamount, a continental fragment to the south of Cyprus rising 2km above the sea floor, as a driver of uplift in Cyprus. At the centre and highest point of the Troodos ophiolite, which dominates the island, is the Mt Olympus mantle sequence, an outcrop of heavily serpentinised peridotite that is associated with a localised gravity low and proposed to be the top of a rising serpentinite diapir. Geophysical constraints to test these hypotheses at depth are lacking. 

We analyse data from a two-year deployment of five broadband seismometers along with the existing permanent network to create a new earthquake catalogue for Cyprus. We use our catalogue to constrain the first formalised 1-D velocity model for the island, improving earthquake locations. Earthquake hypocentres clearly delineate a northward-dipping African slab beneath Cyprus at 20-60 km depth. The most seismically active part of the island is at 15-20 km depth beneath the southern edge of the ophiolite, approximately the expected depth to the plate interface; thrust faulting focal mechanisms here are consistent with ongoing subduction. Hypocentral depths suggest a topography of the slab top, with the shallowest depths in the centre of the island, coincident with the greatest uplift in the overlying plate, supporting hypotheses of uplift driven by subduction of the Eratosthenes Seamount. A lack of seismicity in a 20km-wide zone at this ‘peak’ coincides with the outcropping Mt Olympus mantle sequence, and may be associated with the deep root of the proposed serpentinite diapir. 

How to cite: Merry, T., Bastow, I., Green, D., Nippress, S., Peach, C., Bell, R., Pilidou, S., Dimitriadis, I., and Ugo, F.: Subduction, uplift and serpentinite in Cyprus: insights from seismicity, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-96, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-96, 2023.

The present-day geotectonic regime of Crete Island is mainly controlled by the processes occurring along the seismically active Hellenic subduction zone, e.g., the fast convergence between Africa - Eurasian plates (at a rate of 36 mm/yr) and the simultaneous SSW-ward retreat of the subducting slab. The result is a large south-facing orogenic wedge extending from the southern coast of Crete up to the Hellenic subduction trench to the South. Contractional structures (thrusts, folds, and duplexes) have formed in the deeper parts of the wedge and caused the thickening of the crust. This has led to substantial regional uplift and extension of the upper part of the wedge. Hence, two significant arc-parallel and arc-normal sets of active normal faults crosscut the Cretan mainland, affecting the entire alpine nappe pile. These faults have created a characteristic basin and range topography expressed through impressive E-ESE and N-NNE horst and graben structures bounded by fault zones with segments ranging from 5 to more than 20 km.

Detailed fault mapping of the Mirabello Gulf – Ierapetra Basin depression revealed a dominant NNE-SSW fault system, occupying the central and northern part, and a subordinate E-W to ESE-WNW system, observed mainly along the southern coastal zone. In the ESE margin, the deformation is localized mainly along the 30 km long NNE-SSW Kavousi – Ieraptera fault zone. On the other hand, in the WNW margin, the deformation is distributed in a larger population of relatively minor faults, organizing in more complex second-order horst and graben structures. In the southern part of the Ierapetra Basin, the E-W to ESE-WSW faults are significantly less and concern 2-3 specific zones. Specific morphological structures such as the remarkable range high, the deep V-shaped gorges, the large scree thickness, and the prominent post-glacial fault scarps produced along the basin margins indicate the intensive activity of these faults during the Quaternary. The NNE-SSW fault system seems to be younger and more active, given that i) intersects the E-W or ESE-WNW faults of the southern part, ii) produces significant fault scarps and polished fault surfaces in the cemented scree along the fault zone, and iii) kinematically is compatible with the recent and present-day focal mechanisms (e.g., the 2021 Arkalochori earthquakes). In conclusion, the Ierapetra Basin has formed and developed through an overall E-W extension parallel to the present-day geometry of the arc.

How to cite: Soukis, K., Lozios, S., Vasilakis, E., Antoniou, V., and Laskari, S.: Active extensional tectonics along the Mirabello Gulf – Ierapetra Basin depression (Eastern Crete, Greece), EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-12210, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-12210, 2023.

During the Cenozoic, the Menderes Massif (western Turkey) records several tectonic and thermal events from subduction to collision, then back-arc extension. But the detailed timing of the succession of different P-T regimes and deformation until today remains debated. To address this, we targeted the main shear zones, providing for the first time a full picture of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar system across the massif. This approach is combined with T_max, and P-T estimates tied to kinematic-structural data. Extensive sampling along the large top-S Selimiye shear zone allows constraining the deformation at least between 44 and 33 Ma. This shear zone acted as a thrust and was active under HT-MP (530 - 590 °C and 8.5 - 10 kbar). Conversely, the top-S South Menderes Detachment System is associated with a younging of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages related to exhumation and strain localization during the Late Oligo-Miocene in the Central Menderes Massif. The Bozdağ top-S shear zone then allowed the exhumation of the Bayındır nappe at ~ 21 Ma from high-temperature metamorphic conditions (590 °C). Based on these new elements, we propose for the first time a detailed scenario of the Menderes Massif evolution from the Late Cretaceous to the Present. We finally discuss why the Menderes Massif belongs currently to the regions with the highest geothermal potential in the world. We propose that geothermal activity here is not of magmatic origin but rather associated with active extensional tectonics (detachments) related to the Aegean slab dynamics (i.e., slab retreat and tearing).

How to cite: Roche, V., Jolivet, L., Scaillet, S., Tuduri, J., Bouchot, V., Guillou-Frottier, L., and Bozkurt, E.: Sequential development of shear zones in a Metamorphic Core Complex: cause and consequences in the Menderes Massif (Western Turkey), EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-17079, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-17079, 2023.

We present a new regional three-dimensional (3D) slab reconstruction of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin utilising the UU-P07 global tomography model and two earthquake data packages (GCMT and ISC) to produce 3D slab models to a depth of 2900 km. The model data are permissive of the presence of a south-eastward-propagating horizontal tear in the Aegean slab beneath the Rhodope Massif in the Balkanides extending towards the Thermaic Gulf. Alternatively: i) the local pattern of reduced amplitudes at ~ 200km depth could also reflect a different type of lithosphere; and/ or ii) tearing might have been preceded by down-dip stretching, resulting in abrupt thinning of the lithosphere in the extended zone.

Further to the southeast, beneath the Peloponnese and Crete, the model data support the existence of multiple subduction-transform (or STEP) faults. The subduction–transforms have since themselves begun to founder, and to roll back towards the southeast.  Even further east, beneath Cyprus, the model data appears to support the existence of yet another STEP fault, linking the slab to the east flank of the Arabia indenter.  

The 3D geometry of the subducted slabs demonstrates ‘lithological steps’ that formed as the lithosphere tore and bent while descending. Previous 3D reconstructions of the region’s deep lithospheric geometry confirmed the presence of fragmented segments but details on: i) the vertical extent of the descended slabs; and ii) the correlation between surface deformation structure and geometry at depth had yet to be established. In order to allow such a correlation, the 3D model was floated [or returned to the planet surface] utilizing a wire mesh with a Delaunay tessellation, using the program Pplates. This enabled area-balancing and therefore a more accurate approximation to the areal extent of the slabs prior to their subduction. The floated slab(s) can be incorporated in a 2D+time tectonic reconstruction to provide additional constraints not available using surface geology. The inferred tears correlate with surface structures such as the Strabo and Pliny trenches between the Hellenic Arc (Aegean Trench) and the Cyprian Trench near the Cyprus Arc, as well as with the seaward extent of the East Anatolian Fault separating the Cyprus Arc and the Arabian indenter. Such correlations between surface and deep lithospheric structures have four-dimensional (4D) implications for episodic closure of the West Tethys suture from its Mesozoic onset, through the tectonically active Tertiary to the present-day.

How to cite: Yeung, S., Forster, M., Jelsma, H., Simmons, A., Spakman, W., and Lister, G.: New 3D models for the subducted lithosphere of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-4723, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-4723, 2023.

We present new geodetic (InSAR) data (ground velocities) combined with GNSS data over the Paliki Peninsula, western Cephalonia, Greece. Paliki Peninsula suffers from strong, frequent earthquakes due to its proximity to the Cephalonia Transform Fault (CTF). The CTF, a 140 km long, east-dipping dextral strike-slip fault, accommodates the relative motion between the Apulian (Africa) and Aegean (Eurasia) lithospheric plates. The most recent earthquakes of Paliki include two events during early 2014 (Ganas et al. 2015); which occurred on 26 January 2014 13:55 UTC (Mw=6.0) and 3 February 2014 03:08 UTC (Mw=5.9), respectively. Long-term monitoring of active faults through InSAR has been successfully applied in many studies so far, not only towards identifying locked or creeping sections, but also to monitor the spatial and temporal patterns of deformation of the surrounding rocks. The processing of InSAR time series analysis was held by the LiCSBAS, an open-source package. To perform an estimate of the velocity of a surface pixel through time based upon a series of displacement data, we apply an SB (small baseline) inversion on the network of interferograms, in particular we applied the N-SBAS method. Then, we transformed the ground velocities of InSAR into Eurasia-fixed reference frame using the available GNSS station velocities. The time series analysis covers the period 2016-2022. The InSAR results demonstrate that active faults onshore Paliki are oriented approximately N-S and slip with rates between 2-5 mm/yr in line-of-sight (LOS) direction. The InSAR results also show that the horizontal component of movement is dominant, therefore supporting initial evidence of the existence of right-lateral strike slip faulting onshore the peninsula. The velocity pattern of the NW part of the peninsula also reveals a possible post-seismic motion along the ruptured plane of the 3 February 2014 earthquake. In addition, the time series analysis has identified other possible active structures (both strike-slip and thrust) onshore the Paliki peninsula and across the gulf of Argostoli that are confirmed by field geological data. The coastal town of Lixouri undergoes uplift (a few mm/yr) as it observed with positive LOS values in both satellite imaging geometries. Through the East-West velocity cross-sections, we determine several velocity discontinuities (block boundaries?) which are possibly bounded by active faults and/or crustal flexure. Overall, our results indicate a complex deformation pattern onshore the Paliki peninsula.

How to cite: Tsironi, V., Ganas, A., Valkaniotis, S., Kouskouna, V., Kassaras, I., Sokos, E., and Koukouvelas, I.: Geodetic evidence for compressional interseismic deformation onshore Paliki Peninsula, Cephalonia, Greece, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-8525, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-8525, 2023.

Plate boundary deformation zones represent a challenge in terms of understanding their underlying geodynamic drivers. Active deformation is well constrained by GNSS observations in the SW Balkans, Greece and W Turkey, and is characterized by variable extension and strike slip in an overall context of slow convergence of the Nubia plate relative to stable Eurasia. Diverse, and all potentially viable, forces and models have been proposed as the cause of the observed surface deformation, e.g., asthenospheric flow, horizontal gravitational stresses (HGSs) from lateral variations in gravitational potential energy, and rollback of regional slab fragments. We use Bayesian inference to constrain the relative contribution of the proposed driving and resistive regional forces.

Our models are spherical 2D finite element models representing vertical lithospheric averages. In addition to regional plate boundaries, the models include well-constrained fault zones like north and south branches of the North Anatolian Fault, Gulf of Corinth and faults bounding the Menderes Massif. Boundary conditions represent geodynamic processes: (1) far-field relative plate motions; (2) resistive fault tractions; (3) HGSs mainly from lateral variations in topography and Moho topology; (4) slab pull and trench suction at subduction zones; and (5) active asthenospheric convection. The magnitude of each of these is a parameter in a Bayesian analysis of ~100,000 models and horizontal GNSS velocities. The search yields a probability distribution of all parameter values including model error, allowing us to determine mean/median parameter values, robustly estimate parameter uncertainties, and identify tradeoffs (i.e., parameter covariances).

The average viscosity of the overriding plate is well resolved 4x10^22 Pa.s, which is higher than published models without faults. Westward velocities of Anatolia and significant trench suction forces from the Hellenic slab, including along the Pliny-Strabo STEP Fault, are required to reproduce the observations. Slab pull and convective tractions have a small imprint on the observed deformation of the overriding plate. HGSs are less important for fitting the regional pattern of velocities. Resistive tractions on most plate boundaries and faults are low.

How to cite: Govers, R., Herman, M. W., van de Wiel, L., and Nijholt, N.: Probabilistic Assessment of the Causes of Active Deformation in Greece, western Anatolia, and the Balkans Using Spherical Finite Element Models, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-8603, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-8603, 2023.

During the Neogene, the Aegean domain underwent intense deformation, leading to a thinning by a factor of two or more of the Alpine orogenic prism. Today, tectonic velocity gradients are still among the fastest in Europe due to the Anatolian extrusion induced by the Arabian indentation and by the Hellenic slab retreat. The present-day deformation essentially localizes in the subduction backstop. With respect to the central Aegean, which is almost stable today, this still-thick buttress has remained at a much earlier and brittle deformation stage. This is particularly the case in the ~east–west-extending External Hellenides (Southern Greece), shaped by a series of major NNW–SSE-oriented normal faults.

• How has the crustal deformation been accommodated by the various fault systems present in the Peloponnese since the Paleogene?
• Which of those fault systems are still active today?
• To what extent can boundary forces such as the Hellenic slab pull be sufficient to explain this extension?

Thanks to a significant increase in the GNSS network density in the Peloponnese, we present an updated local strain field. The resulting strain confirms the ~east–west sprawl of the External Hellenides, with extension also, to a lesser extent, in the other directions. Through identifying low-angle detachments by field and satellite morpho-structural analysis, we show that this spreading has been occurring since the Pliocene, mostly by reusing décollement layers of the Alpine nappes as extensional structures. We suggest that the main high-angle normal faults existing in the Peloponnese correspond to a localization of the extension in the weakest azimuth dictated by the Alpine backbone. We propose that this surface sprawl results not only from the Hellenic slab retreat but also from the exhumation of the deep Peloponnesian stacked units, and the subsequent crustal gravity collapse.

How to cite: Bufféral, S., Briole, P., Chamot-Rooke, N., and Pubellier, M.: The sprawl of the External Hellenides: from post-Alpine collapse to present-day kinematics, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-9268, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-9268, 2023.

Geological and geophysical observations show instances of surface subsidence, uplift, shortening, and missing mantle lithosphere inferred as manifestations of the large-scale removal of the lower lithosphere. This process—specifically by viscous instability or lithospheric “drips” —is thought to be responsible for the removal or thinning of the lithosphere in plate hinterland settings such as: Anatolia, Tibet, Colorado Plateau and the Andes. In this study, we conduct a series of scaled, 3D analogue/laboratory experiments of modeled lithospheric instability with quantitative analyses using the high-resolution Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and digital photogrammetry techniques. Experimental outcomes reveal that a lithospheric drip may be either ‘symptomatic’ or ‘asymptomatic’ depending on the magnitude and style of recorded surface strain. Notably, this is controlled by the degree of coupling between the downwelling lithosphere and the overlying upper mantle lithosphere. A symptomatic drip will produce subsidence followed by uplift and thickening/shortening creating distinct ‘wrinkle-like’ structures in the upper crust. However, the ‘symptoms’ of an asymptomatic drip are subdued as it only yields subsidence or uplift, with no evidence of shortening in the upper crust. Here, we combine analogue modelling results with geological and geophysical data to demonstrate that the Konya Basin in Central Anatolia (Turkey) is one such example of an asymptomatic drip. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements reveal elevated vertical subsidence rates (up to 50 mm/yr) but no well-documented crustal strain or structural features such as fold-and-thrust belts. This work demonstrates that different types of lithospheric drips may exist since the Archean, and there may be instances where the mantle lithosphere is dripping with no distinct manifestations of such a process in the upper crust.

How to cite: Andersen, J., Şengül Uluocak, E., Göğüş, O., Pysklywec, R., and Santimano, T.: Asymptomatic lithospheric drip driving subsidence of Konya Basin, Central Anatolia, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-10733, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-10733, 2023.

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.

How to cite: Özbakır, A. D., Kurt, A. I., Cingöz, A., Ergintav, S., Doğan, U., and Özarpacı, S.: A new and uniformly processed GNSS-velocity field for Turkey, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-12258, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-12258, 2023.

The Dead Sea Transform (DST) extends from the Red Sea to the East Anatolian Fault, displaying various structural styles along its ~1100 km length. In this study, we combine previous work with new mapping of fault patterns and displacements, geochronological data, and analogue and numerical modeling to provide new insights on the temporal evolution of the DST.

In the southern DST, we mapped a 30 km wide distributed shear belt along the eastern margin of the Gulf of Aqaba (GOA), consisting of a distributed shear faulting, similarly to the western belt in Sinai. Total left lateral offset across the eastern distributed shear belt is ~ 15 km, with offset across individual faults ranging from a few meters up to 5.7 kilometers. Ar-Ar dating of sheared basalt dikes and U-Pb dating of calcite cements in faults indicate that the distributed shear system was activate between 22-16 Ma, overlapping with the rifting of the proto Red Sea and Gulf of Suez. This distributed shear is observed along the GOA and the deformed area narrowed along the Arava Valley. Distributed shearing marks the initial stage of continental break-up along the DST, which was abandoned by faulting concentration within the GOA and propagation of the DST towards the north.

The structural analysis of bathymetry data from the GOA and fault mapping along the entire DST highlight various structural styles: rotational transtension within the GOA, narrowing to simple strike-slip faulting of the Wadi Araba and Jordan Valley, and pull-apart basins along the Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee and Hula Basin. These structures are linked at depth to the principal displacement zone, nowadays-active plate boundary. Our analogue model produces similar structural styles and with the seismicity data it confirms that deformed area narrowed in the more recent stage of deformation. We also present an approach based on the boundary element method at the regional scale to test the structural interpretation of a complex transpressional mountain range of Lebanon Restraining Bend. These results are validated by structural evidences and highlight that various structural styles lead to formation of Mt. Lebanon, Anti-Lebanon and Palmyrides structures.

This review study of the DST emphasizes the role of structural styles, inherited structures and relative movement between tectonic plates in the transform continental break-up evolution.

How to cite: Fedorik, J. and Afifi, A. M.: Structure and evolution of the Dead Sea Transform, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-15463, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-15463, 2023.

Aseismic slip (creep) is critical above the onset, propagation, and time of occurrence of large earthquakes on active faults. Also elastic strain in the crust between large earthquakes is controlled by the aseismic slip along the active faults. Key characteristics of aseismic slip behavior is that it is typically very slow and gradual, with the faults moving only a few millimeters or centimeters per year. This type of movement is often difficult to detect and measure, and may not be immediately apparent to observers.

Although it has been determined that the İsmetpaşa segment of the North Anatolian Fault has been slipped aseismically since 1970, without producing an earthquake, there is no reliable and detailed information about the spatial and temporal changes of this movement. After it was first recognized by Ambraseys in 1970, the creep movement is monitored by the researchers with terrestrial and campaign type GNSS measurements in the 6-point geodetic network established in Hamamlı. InSAR observations has made it possible to derive maps of ground velocities over the past 20 years that indicate aseismic slip is present along a ~100 km portion of the fault. Additionally, the aseismic slip rate changes spatially along the strike, peaking at 15–24 km to the east of Ismetpasa. Furthermore, InSAR time series and creepmeter measurements shows that aseismic slip in the Ismetpasa region behaves episodically rather than continuously, with stationary periods alternated with transient episodes of relatively rapid aseismic slip. These observations raise questions about how slip accommodates tectonic stress along the fault, which has important implications for hazard along the seismogenic zone.

To answer these questions, it is necessary to expand terrestrial observation capacity along the creeping segment and to conduct a detailed examination of the change in creep accelerations by associating it with seismological activity. We established ISMENET -Ismetpasa Continuous GNSS Network- in July 2016 to monitor spatial and temporal variations in the aseismic slip rate and to detect slow slip events along the fault. ISMENET stations are located approximately 120 kilometers along strike. Stations are located within 200m to 10 km of the fault to investigate the shallow, fine spatiotemporal behavior of aseismic slip. In addition to this network, 19 GNSS stations belonging to the TUSAGA-Aktif network located in the vicinity of the İsmetpaşa segment have been added to this network. To reduce the influence of non-tectonic noises, we analyze the GNSS time series to extract the signature of creep movement using Multivariate Singular Spectrum Analysis (M-SSA). Initial estimations shows that creep rates change along the fault between 6-8 mm/yr at a 4-5 km depth 10 km east side of the Ismetpaşa town. On the western edge of the Ismetpaşa segment between Bayramören and Ilgaz towns creep rate decreases ~3-4 mm/yr.

In this study, we examine the results of the temporal and spatial variation of the aseismic slip between 2016-2023 from the GNSS stations located in the immediate vicinity of the İsmetpaşa segment.

Ismetpasa, Aseismic slip, GNSS, M-SSA, NAFZ

How to cite: Özdemir, A., Doğan, U., Jara, J., Ergintav, S., Jolivet, R., and Çakır, Z.: Monitoring spatio-temporal evolution of aseismic slip along the Ismetpasa segment between 2016-2023 with GNSS measurements, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-16089, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-16089, 2023.

The Cyprus Arc is one of the major sources of earthquakes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. There is limited large-magnitude earthquake activity during the instrumental period. Still, archeoseismological data imply the occurrence of large-magnitude earthquakes that hit the island and gave rise to casualties and destructions. Nevertheless, these data are insufficient to give information about the source of the earthquakes. In this study, we focussed on coastal geomorphology to unravel paleoseismic activity, at least generated by near offshore faults, that released sufficient seismic energy to deform the shoreline in Holocene.

We mapped coseismically uplifted abrasion platforms, tidal notches, fish tanks and a surface rupture implying active near offshore faults in Holocene. The elevation of paleo shorelines varies between 0.4 m to 3 m above sea level, indicating multiple occurrences of paleo earthquakes. Our radiocarbon 14C ages from biological markers (algal rims, etc) indicate that the coseismic uplift of the shoreline starts from 4,5 ka to 1.2 ka BP.

The ages of the paleoearthquakes display non-uniform spatial distribution and show migration of paleoearthquakes from west to east, especially along the island's northern coast. This study is supported by Istanbul Technical University Research Fund (Project No: 37548) and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany.

How to cite: Yildirim, C., Melnick, D., Tüysüz, O., Altınbaş, C. D., Jara-Munoz, J., Tsanakas, K., Özcan, O., and Strecker, M.: Paleoseismicity of Northern Cyprus, implications from coastal geomorphology and geochronology, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-14343, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-14343, 2023.

The eastern Mediterranean island of Crete is located on the overriding plate of the Hellenic subduction thrust which is curved and changes strike from ~170° to ~50° in a west to east direction. Crete is located in the zone of maximum curvature of the subduction thrust. Basin and range topography together with prominent limestone scarps indicate that Quaternary deformation at the ground surface on Crete is dominated by normal faults with slip rates of up to ~1 mm/yr. These active faults comprise two primary sets that strike N-NNE (0-30°) and E-ESE (90-120°), with the more easterly faults dominating in southern Crete. Each fault set is characterised by dip slip and together they accommodate coeval W-WNW and N-NNE crustal extension. The E-ESE normal faults are approximately parallel to the strike of the subducting North African plate and form part of a regional fault system that swings in strike in sympathy with depth contours on the top of the concave northwards plate. By contrast, N-NNE normal faults are sub-parallel to the line of maximum curvature on the subduction thrust. These geometric relationships support the view that normal faulting on Crete formed, at least partly, in response to Cenozoic slab retreat (e.g., Jolivet et al., 2013), which continued into the Quaternary. In this model contemporaneous multi-directional crustal extension on Crete is driven by geologically simultaneous westward and southward retreat of the slab.

 Jolivet, L., Faccenna, C., Huet, B., Labrousse, L., Le Pourhiet, L., Lacombe, O., et al. (2013). Aegean tectonics: Strain localisation, slab tearing and trenchretreat. Tectonophysics, 597–598, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2012.06.011

How to cite: Nicol, A., Mouslopoulou, V., Begg, J., Saltogianni, V., and Oncken, O.: Geometry and kinematics of active normal faulting on Crete; implications for Hellenic subduction slab retreat, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-11399, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-11399, 2023.

Recent observations suggest seismogenic faults release elastic energy through a wide variety of slip modes covering a spectrum from sudden rapid earthquakes to slow aseismic slip. Aseismic slip releases energy very slowly without radiating seismic waves and plays an important role in the initiation, propagation, and arrest of large earthquakes. Aseismic slip is thought to be influenced by the presence/migration of fluids, stress interactions through fault geometrical complexities, and/or fault material heterogeneities. Descriptions of occurrences of aseismic slip at the surface and depth are hence required to feed into models and eventually characterize the factors controlling the occurrence of slow, aseismic versus rapid, seismic fault slip.

We focus on the central segment of the North Anatolian Fault, which has been creeping since at least the 1950s. This region was struck by the Mw 7.3 Bolu/Gerede earthquake in 1944, and since then, no earthquake of magnitude greater than 6 has been recorded. During the 1960s, aseismic slip was discovered as a wall built across the fault in 1957 was being slowly offset. Geodetic studies (InSAR, GNSS, and creepmeters) focused on capturing and analyzing aseismic slip around the village of Ismetpasa. Creepmeter measurements during the 1980s and 2010s, along with InSAR time series analysis, suggest that aseismic slip occurs episodically rather than persistently.

We use Sentinel-1 time series and GNSS data to provide a spatio-temporal description of the kinematics of fault slip. We show that aseismic slip observed at the surface is coincident with a shallow locking depth and that slow slip events with a return period of 2.5 years are restricted to a specific section of the fault. We contrast such results with GNSS time series analysis of a local network, confirming our findings. In addition, we discuss the potential rheological implications of our results, proposing a simple alternative model to explain the local occurrence of shallow aseismic slip at this location.

How to cite: Jara, J., Jolivet, R., Ozdemir, A., Dogan, U., Çakir, Z., and Ergintav, S.: Aseismic slip behavior along the central section of the North Anatolian Fault: insights from geodetic observations., EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-8915, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-8915, 2023.