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

东地中海和高加索地区现今的运动学和动力学我们正在使用连续和测量模式的GPS和其他相关的地质和地球物理信息来阐明东地中海的活动变形和驱动这种变形的力量。地中海/高加索/中东地区，非洲，阿拉伯和欧亚板块相互作用。 我们以前的研究现在提供了一个准确的（~ 1毫米/年）区域变形的描述，这有助于确定控制该地区大陆变形的基本原则。我们已经模拟了区域变形，使用相对较少的弹性板块和块相互作用沿着他们的边界。这些模型提供了对驱动变形的潜在力和机械行为（即，流变学）。区域变形模式为我们正在进行的更详细的研究提供了框架。这包括（1）表征沿沿着控制该区域中大部分变形的多个主要断层的变形（应变累积）（即，块体边界），（2）在S.E.爱琴海（希腊和土耳其），到目前为止，已经提到了简单的块状描述，并可能更好地特点是分布式变形，和（3）量化变形周围不稳定，大陆三联点。更具体地说，这包括开发一个更清晰的图片的特点，今天应变积累的一些部分的北安纳托利亚，东安纳托利亚，大高加索逆冲断层，和希腊俯冲带。对于北安纳托利亚断层，我们正在确定地震中应变积累的空间特征作为时间的函数。东安纳托利亚断层周围的新GPS测量有助于描述死海断层-东安纳托利亚断层-塞浦路斯弧三重连接点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灾害的影响。总之，全球定位系统的结果正在与新的地震，古地震，新构造，地质和其他相关的地球物理信息，以约束区域变形和地震周期在这个大陆碰撞带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.