Present-day Kinematics and Dynamics of the Eastern Mediterranean and Caucasus

东地中海和高加索的现今运动学和动力学我们正在使用连续的和测量模式的GPS以及其他相关的地质和地球物理信息来澄清在非洲、阿拉伯和欧亚板块相互作用的东地中海/高加索/中东地区的主动变形和驱动这种变形的力量。我们以前的研究现在提供了一个精确（~ 1mm/年）的区域变形描述，这有助于定义控制该地区大陆变形的基本原理。我们利用相对少量的弹性板块和沿其边界相互作用的块来模拟区域变形。这些模型对驱动变形的潜在力量和岩石圈的力学行为（即流变学）提供了约束。区域变形模式为我们目前正在进行的更详细的研究提供了框架。这包括(1)沿着控制该地区大部分变形（即块体边界）的一些主要断层描述变形（应变积累），(2)在爱琴海东南部（希腊和土耳其）约束更好的变形，迄今为止暗示了简单的块体样描述，可能通过分布变形更好地表征，以及(3)量化不稳定的大陆三重结周围的变形。更具体地说，这包括对北安那托利亚、东安那托利亚和大高加索逆冲断层以及希腊俯冲带的一些片段上的现今应变积累特征进行更清晰的描绘。对于北安那托利亚断层，我们正在确定应变积累的空间特征作为地震中时间的函数。东安纳托利亚断层周围新的GPS测量有助于描述死海断层-东安纳托利亚断层-塞浦路斯弧三重结周围的现今变形以及阿拉伯板块与安纳托利亚相互作用的影响。对于大高加索逆冲断层和希腊俯冲带，我们正在限制断层锁定深度，并评估其对大陆动力学和地震危险性的影响。综上所述，GPS结果正在与新的地震、古地震、新构造、地质和其他相关地球物理信息相结合，以约束该大陆碰撞带区域变形和地震周期的运动学和动力学模型。

Present-day Kinematics and Dynamics of the Eastern Mediterranean and CaucasusWe are using continuous and survey-mode GPS and other relevant geological and geophysical information to clarify active deformation and the forces driving this deformation in the E. Mediterranean/Caucasus/Middle East zone where the African, Arabian, and Eurasian plates interact. Our previous studies now provide an accurate (~ 1mm/yr) description of regional deformation that is helping to define the basic principles that control continental deformation in this region. We have modeled regional deformation using a relatively small number of elastic plates and blocks that interact along their boundaries. These models provide constraints on the underlying forces driving deformation, and the mechanical behavior (i.e., rheology) of the lithospheric. The regional deformation patterns provide the framework for the more detailed studies we are now pursuing. This includes (1) characterizing deformation (strain accumulation) along a number of the major faults that control the large majority of deformation in this region (i.e., block boundaries), (2) constraining better deformation in the S.E. Aegean (Greece and Turkey) that has thus far alluded simple block-like descriptions and may be better characterized by distributed deformation, and (3) quantifying deformation around unstable, continental triple junctions. More specifically, this includes developing a clearer picture of the character of present-day strain accumulation on a number of segments of the North Anatolian, East Anatolian, and Greater Caucasus thrust faults, and the Hellenic subduction zone. For the North Anatolian fault we are determining the spatial character of strain accumulation as a function of the time in the earthquake. The new GPS measurements around the East Anatolian fault are helping to characterize present-day deformation around the Dead Sea fault - East Anatolian fault - Cyprus arc triple junction and the influence of Arabia plate interaction with Anatolia. For the Greater Caucasus thrust fault and the Hellenic subduction zone, we are constraining fault locking depths and evaluating the implications for continental dynamics and earthquake hazards. In summary, the GPS results are being integrated with new seismic, paleoseismic, neotectonic, geologic, and other relevant geophysical information to constrain kinematic and dynamic models for regional deformation and the earthquake cycle in this continental collision zone.