Crustal Stress Map of Iran: Insight From Seismic and Geodetic Computations

We used the focal mechanisms of crustal earthquakes (depth <40 km) in the period 1909–2012 and the available GPS velocities, derived from the data collected between 1999 to 2011, to estimate the magnitude and directions of maximum principal stress and strain rates in Iran. The Pearson product moment correlation was used to find the correlation between the stress field obtained from the focal mechanism stress inversion and that obtained using the seismic and geodetic strain rates. Our assumption is that stresses in a continuum are produced by tectonic forces and the consequent deformation on the crustal scale. Therefore, the direction of the stress and strain (or strain rate) are ideally to be the same. Our results show a strong correlation between the directions of the principal components of stress and strain (rate) obtained using the different data/methods. Using weighted average analysis, we present a new stress map for Iran.     

Comparison of geodetic and seismic strain rates in Greece by using a uniform processing approach to campaign GPS measurements over the interval 1994–2000

In this study we rigorously combine 18 old campaign GPS data sets from Greece covering the period 1994–2000. Although the majority of these old datasets have been analyzed and reported previously, it has not been possible to combine them into a single velocity field and apply strain analysis. Here a uniform, final coordinate solution is given by reprocessing 43 global, long-running International GNSS Service (IGS) sites together with 280 local sites. The 221 daily SINEX files are then combined in a least squares approach and the geodetic horizontal velocity field in ITRF2000 and Europe-fixed reference frame is derived. Two methods are used to compute the geodetic strain rates: (i) discrete estimates within contiguous polygons, and (ii) a continuous curvature surface fitted to the velocity field. The seismic hazard potential can be determined by comparing the geodetic and seismic strain rates. The published 300 year earthquake catalogue best describes the major active tectonic features at the scale of geodetic strain determination. The geodetic strain appears larger than the seismic strain for the majority of the region, suggesting that accumulated strain has not yet been released by earthquakes. The geodetic field is consistent with the detailed constraints implied by the observed orientations of faulting as these are given in the 300-year catalogue. We have shown that with the GPS dataset used in this work and following this processing scheme reasonable results can be obtained comparable with more recent studies, CGPS data and by recent earthquake activity.     

Contemporary horizontal movements and seismicity of the south Baikal Basin (Baikal rift system)

The contemporary horizontal movements and deformations in the central and southern parts of the Baikal depression are analyzed, and their relationship with contemporary seismicity is studied. Based on the long-term measurements by the Baikal geodynamical GPS monitoring network, the refined estimate is obtained for the velocity of the divergence of the Siberian and Transbaikalian blocks, which is found to occur in the southeastward direction (130°) at 3.4 ± 0.7 mm per annum. This agrees with the parameters of the long-term extension component estimated from the geological data and with the direction of extension determined from the seismic data. The distribution of the displacement velocity across the strike of the rift, which gradually increases from one block to another, suggests a nonrigid behavior of the continental lithospheric plates at the divergent boundary. About 30% (1.0–1.5 mm per annum) of the total increase in the velocity is accommodated by the Baikal Basin. The strain rate within the trough reaches 3.1 × 10^?8 yr^?1 and decreases on either side across the structure. The character of distribution of the horizontal displacement velocities on the Baikal divergent boundary between the Eurasian and Amurian plates favors the model of passive rifting. The zones of highly contrasting topography and increased seismicity are localized within the area of contemporary deformations, and the seismic moment release rate directly depends on the strain rate. Here, the rate of the seismic moment release rate makes up a few percent of the geodetic moment accumulation rate calculated by the approach suggested by Anderson (1979). Based on the coherence between the graphs of the rates of geodetic moment accumulation and seismic moment release rate by the earthquakes with M ≥ 5.0 during the historical and instrumental observation periods, the contemporary seismic hazard for the South Baikal Basin could be assessed at a level of seismic event with M = 7.5–7.6.     

Improved Constraints on Models of Glacial Isostatic Adjustment: A Review of the Contribution of Ground-Based Geodetic Observations

The provision of accurate models of Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) is presently a priority need in climate studies, largely due to the potential of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data to be used to determine accurate and continent-wide assessments of ice mass change and hydrology. However, modelled GIA is uncertain due to insufficient constraints on our knowledge of past glacial changes and to large simplifications in the underlying Earth models. Consequently, we show differences between models that exceed several mm/year in terms of surface displacement for the two major ice sheets: Greenland and Antarctica. Geodetic measurements of surface displacement offer the potential for new constraints to be made on GIA models, especially when they are used to improve structural features of the Earth’s interior as to allow for a more realistic reconstruction of the glaciation history. We present the distribution of presently available campaign and continuous geodetic measurements in Greenland and Antarctica and summarise surface velocities published to date, showing substantial disagreement between techniques and GIA models alike. We review the current state-of-the-art in ground-based geodesy (GPS, VLBI, DORIS, SLR) in determining accurate and precise surface velocities. In particular, we focus on known areas of need in GPS observation level models and the terrestrial reference frame in order to advance geodetic observation precision/accuracy toward 0.1 mm/year and therefore further constrain models of GIA and subsequent present-day ice mass change estimates.     

The topical problems of identifying the results of the observations in recent geodynamics

The paper addresses the problems of identifying the results of deformational observations on the Earth, which arise from the new measurement technologies and lead to the ambiguity relationships such as the “spatial size of the anomaly—density of the observation sites” and the “duration of the anomalies—degree of temporal detail of the measurements.” It is found that many “paradoxical” conclusions concerning the rates and scales of the recent geodynamical processes are removed if the parameters of the measurement system match the properties of the studied object and if the relative character of the observational means is taken into account. It is shown that the time variation in the uniaxial deviatoric stress leads to the variation in the volumetric strain and, consequently, to the variation in gravity. The ambiguity in determining the ground displacement vectors by SAR interferometry is demonstrated. It is concluded that the autonomous use of the interferometry data leads to the significant distortions of the results, and these data should be necessarily used in combination with the ground-based geodetic observations.     

Assessing the Current Evolution of the Greenland Ice Sheet by Means of Satellite and Ground-Based Observations

The present study utilises different satellite and ground-based geodetic observations in order to assess the current evolution of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS). Satellite gravimetry data acquired by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment are used to derive ice-mass changes for the period from 2003 to 2012. The inferred time series are investigated regarding long-term, seasonal and interannual variations. Laser altimetry data acquired by the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) are utilised to solve for linear and seasonal changes in the ice-surface height and to infer independent mass-change estimates for the entire GIS and its major drainage basins. We demonstrate that common signals can be identified in the results of both sensors. Moreover, the analysis of a Global Positioning System (GPS) campaign network in West Greenland for the period 1995–2007 allows us to derive crustal deformation caused by glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) and by present-day ice-mass changes. ICESat-derived elastic crustal deformations are evaluated comparing them with GPS-observed uplift rates which were corrected for the GIA effect inferred by model predictions. Existing differences can be related to the limited resolution of ICESat. Such differences are mostly evident in dynamical regions such as the Disko Bay region including the rapidly changing Jakobshavn Isbræ, which is investigated in more detail. Glacier flow velocities are inferred from satellite imagery yielding an accelerated flow from 1999 to 2012. Since our GPS observations cover a period of more than a decade, changes in the vertical uplift rates can also be investigated. It turns out that the increased mass loss of the glacier is also reflected by an accelerated vertical uplift.     

Expression of strain and rotation tensor in geodetic coordinates

In this paper, unit moving trihedron is first constructed for a point on the surface of a revolution ellipsoid. Via translation, the origin of the trihedron coincides with that of Cartesian coordinates established at the center of the ellipsoid, and then through two coordinate rotations, the trihedron completely coincides with the Cartesian coordi-nates. Transformation formulae between the moving trihedron and unit Cartesian coordinate frameworks as well as transformation of point displacement between two unit coordinate frameworks are presented. Based on the above transformation formulae between two different coordinate frameworks, due to the fact that the displacement and moving trihedron of the point are both functions of the geodetic coordinates, components in the corresponding axis for differential of displacement vector and geodetic curves arc differential at the point in geodetic system can be obtained through complicated derivation. Displacement gradient matrix at the point in geodetic system is also given. Finally, expressions of strain and rotation tensor in geodetic coordinates are presented. Geometric meanings of the rotation tensor are explained in detail. The intrinsic relationship between strain tensors of sphere and ellip-soid are also discussed.     

Features of High-Latitude Ionospheric Irregularities Development as Revealed by Ground-Based GPS Observations,Satellite-Borne GPS Observations and Satellite In Situ Measurements over the Territory of Russia during the Geomagnetic Storm on March 17–18, 2015

The dynamic picture of the response of the high- and mid-latitude ionosphere to the strong geomagnetic disturbances on March 17–18, 2015, has been studied with ground-based and satellite observations, mainly, by transionospheric measurements of delays of GPS (Global Positioning System) signals. The advantages of the joint use of ground-based GPS measurements and GPS measurements on board of the Swarm Low-Earth-Orbit satellite mission for monitoring of the appearance of ionospheric irregularities over the territory of Russia are shown for the first time. The results of analysis of ground-based and space-borne GPS observations, as well as satellite, in situ measurements, revealed large-scale ionospheric plasma irregularities observed over the territory of Russia in the latitude range of 50°–85° N during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm. The most intense ionospheric irregularities were detected in the auroral zone and in the region of the main ionospheric trough (MIT). It has been found that sharp changes in the phase of the carrier frequency of the navigation signal from all tracked satellites were recorded at all GPS stations located to the North from 55° MLAT. The development of a deep MIT was related to dynamic processes in the subauroral ionosphere, in particular, with electric fields of the intense subauroral polarization stream. Analysis of the electron and ion density values obtained by instruments on board of the Swarm and DMSP satellites showed that the zone of highly structured auroral ionosphere extended at least to heights of 850–900 km.     

南北地震带和青藏块体东部近期大地形变与地震特征

通过研究南北地震带及青藏块体东部地区２０多年来大地形变场演化特征及其与地震活动的呼应关系，发现大地形变既具有时空分布的不均匀性，各分区形变场又具有同时段的宏观相似性；继承性运动是现代地壳运动的总趋势，而运动方式为波浪式，涌动式推进。地壳运动过程中存在着区域为能积累阶段和释放调整阶段，这可能是地震活动的相对平静与活跃的动力机制。     

旋转椭球面上的应变与转动张量表达

以旋转椭球体面上某点为原点建立一个大地坐标单位活动坐标架. 通过平移, 使活动坐标架的原点与以椭球中心为原点的笛卡尔单位标架的原点相重合. 然后再通过两次标架旋转, 使活动坐标架与笛卡尔单位标架完全重合. 本文给出了使两个单位标架相重合的转换关系式, 以及该点位移在两个单位标架中的坐标转换式; 在此基础上, 考虑该点的位移及活动坐标架皆为该点大地坐标的函数, 经复杂推导, 分别给出了该点位移向量的微分在大地坐标系中的分量以及该点分别沿坐标曲线的弧微分表达式, 继而导出了该点的位移梯度矩阵; 最后推导出了椭球坐标系的应变张量与转动张量表达式, 并对转动张量的几何含义进行了较详细的解释, 且采用曲面理论对球面与椭球面的应变张量间的内在关系进行了讨论.      

DInSAR measurements of ground deformation by sinkholes,mining subsidence,and landslides,Ebro River,Spain

Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) has been applied to detect and measure ground deformation in a stretch of the Ebro River valley (Spain) excavated in salt‐bearing evaporites. The capability of the Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) DInSAR technique to detect ground displacement is analyzed comparing the DInSAR results with the available geomorphological information. The deformation map derived from 27 European Remote Sensing (ERS) satellite images covering more than five years provides sub‐centimeter displacement measurements in zones coinciding with known active sinkholes and landslides. Moreover the map provides the first account of mining subsidence in the area. The measured deformation rates reach 1·68 cm/y for the sinkholes, 0·80 cm/y for the landslides and 1·45 cm/y for the area affected by mining subsidence. The SBAS DInSAR technique provided deformation measurements in a small proportion (5–10%) of the known active sinkholes and landslides. This limitation is mainly due to the lack of coherence in agricultural areas, the spatial resolution of the deformation map (pixel size of 90 m), and the parallelism between the ERS satellite line of sight and the linear escarpment on which most of the landslides occur. Despite this, the interferometric technique provides valuable data that complement traditional geomorphological studies including the quantification of the deformation phenomena, the identification of mining subsidence otherwise only recognizable by geodetic methods, and the detection of creep deformation which might correspond to premonitory indicators of catastrophic sinkholes and landslides capable of causing the loss of lives. Detailed DInSAR studies combined with field data would be required to improve the analysis of each deformation area. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Generalization of the results of long-term strainmeter and GPS observations for intraplate regions

The measurements of contemporary deformations in Asia in the region of active seismic processes stretching from Northern Tien Shan through Altai and Sayan Mountains to Lake Baikal have been carried out for a few decades by strainmeters and tiltmeters. Recently, these works were expanded by the network measurements by the methods of space geodesy. Studying the contemporary displacements and deformations of the Earth’s crust is necessary for solving various problems on a wide range of spatial and time scales from exploring the contemporary deformations of the tectonic plates and present-day seismicity to estimating the man-made loads on the geological medium. The measurements of the deformations are conducted by different methods with short and long baselines, on the surface and at different depths. Based on the obtained data, it is possible to analyze the strain rates at different frequencies and to compare them with the level of seismic activity in the region. In recent decades, the seismic zone located in the south of the Siberian platforms experienced a few strong (M = 6.3–7.5) earthquakes, during which the deformation and displacement fields were captured. South of this region, the displacement fields during the earthquakes with the magnitude above 8 were recorded by the space geodetic methods in China. By excluding the coseismic effects, one can estimate the tectonic component of the displacements and deformations.     

福建沿海、台湾海峡GPS观测分析及地球动力学特征研究

利用 3期GPS联测结果所获得的福建沿海地壳水平运动信息 ,采用ITRF94全球框架为基础的GPS测站地壳运动模型及其处理软件 ,对所获得的观测数据进行处理和精度分析。得到福建省高精度的GPS测站大地坐标、边长及其位移矢量 ,其精度达到 1 7×10 - 8。计算了福建地壳运动速率、主应变率 ,东西与南北向线应变率、面应变率、剪应变率、大地转动率和最大剪应变率等值线并给出了它们的分布图象。根据多年形变和现今GPS观测资料 ,分析福建地壳垂直运动与水平运动 ,显示区域应力场优势分布特征。最后 ,对福建沿海及台湾海峡地壳动力学特征作了初步的探讨     

用甚长基线干涉测量数据检测冰期后地壳回弹

本文利用甚长基线干涉测量（VLBI）技术提供的实测站速度和地球物理模型ICE_4G提供的数据,采用实测站速度法和基线长度变化率法分别检测了冰期后地壳回弹的垂直运动和水平运动.对用空间技术求解的实测值和用ICE_4G模型求解的估计值进行线性拟合和相关分析,两者的相关系数达到08～09,表明空间技术已经能够检测1～10mm/a的冰后回弹运动;在方向上两者基本一致,在量级上,实测结果的绝对值比模型估计值系统性的偏大约20%,表明当前冰期后的地壳回弹运动比地质时期要猛烈.     

Measurement of ice flow velocities from GPS positions logged by short-period seismographs in East Antarctica

The ice flow velocity is a basic feature of glaciers and ice sheets. Measuring ice flow velocities is very important for estimating the mass balance of ice sheets in the Arctic and Antarctic. Traditional methods for measuring ice flow velocity include the use of stakes, snow pits and on-site geodetic GPS and remote sensing measurement methods. Geodetic GPS measurements have high accuracy, but geodetic GPS monitoring points only sparsely cover the Antarctic ice sheets. Moreover, the resolution and accuracy of ice flow velocities based on remote sensing measurements are low. Although the accuracy of the location data recorded by the navigation-grade GPS receivers embedded in short-period seismographs is not as good as that of geodetic GPS,the ice flow velocity can be accurately measured by these navigation-grade GPS data collected over a sufficiently long period. In this paper, navigation-grade GPS location data obtained by passive seismic observations during the 36 th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition were used to accurately track the movement characteristics of the ice sheet in the Larsemann Hills of East Antarctica and the Taishan Station area. The results showed that the ice sheet in the two study areas is basically moving northwestward with an average ice flow velocity of approximately 1 m mon-1. The results in the Taishan Station area are basically consistent with the geodetic GPS results, indicating that it is feasible to use the embedded GPS location data from shortperiod seismographs to track the movement characteristics of ice sheets. The ice flow characteristics in the Larsemann Hills are more complex. The measured ice flow velocities in the Larsemann Hills with a resolution of 200 m help to understand its characteristics. In summary, the ice flow velocities derived from GPS location data are of great significance for studying ice sheet dynamics and glacier mass balance and for evaluating the systematic errors caused by ice sheet movements in seismic imaging.     

К определению положения искусственного спутника земли в геодезической системе координат

Summary The present theory of the determination of the position of an Earth satellite from simultaneous measurements of the topocentric coordinates at 2 or more geodetic satellite points is not exact. The inaccuracy is caused by the fact that the measured topocentric coordinates of the satellite are defined in a system in which the directions of the axes are not exactly parallel to the directions of the corresponding axes of the geodetic system in which the coordinates of the satellite points are given; this difference in direction is not respected in the solution. The paper gives an exact solution of the problem. The concepts (4) of geodetic topocentric declination and geodetic hour angle of the satellite, i.e. the declination and hour angle in the geodetic reference system, are introduced. With these quantities the problem of determining the position of the satellite is then solved exactly. There always exist superabundant observations so that the method of least squares can be used. The procedure is outlined for the case of conditioned observations (suitable for 2 satellite geodetic points) and for the case of intermediate observations (suitable for >2 satellite geodetic points).      

VLF/LF signal studies of the ionospheric response to strong seismic activity in the Far Eastern region combining the DEMETER and ground-based observations

The paper presents the results of a joint analysis of ground-based and satellite observations of very low-frequency and low-frequency (VLF/LF) signals during periods of strong seismic activity in the region of Kuril Islands and Japan in 2004–2010. Ground and satellite data was processed using a method based on the difference between the real signal in nighttime and that of a model. The results of the analysis show a good correlation between ground-based and satellite data for several cases of strong (M ⩾ 6.8) earthquakes.     

Global,Regional and National Geodetic Reference Frames for Geodesy and Geodynamics

In July 2003 the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) established the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS). The GGOS is integrating the three basic components: geometry, the earth rotation and gravity. The backbone of this integration is the existing global ground network, based on the geodetic space techniques: very long baseline interferometry, satellite laser ranging, global navigation satellite systems and Doppler orbitography and radiopositioning integrated by satellite. These techniques have to operate as one global entity and in one global reference frame. The global reference frame in the GGOS is a realization of the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS). The ITRS is a world spatial reference system co-rotating with the Earth in its diurnal motion in the space. The IAG Subcommision for the European Reference Frame (EUREF) in 1991 recommended that the terrestrial reference system for Europe should be coincident with ITRS at the epoch t ₀ = 1989.0 and fixed to the stable part of the Eurasian Plate. It was named the European Terrestrial Reference System 89 (ETRS89). On the 2nd of June 2008, the Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography in Poland commenced operating the ASG-EUPOS multifunctional precise satellite positioning system. The ASG-EUPOS network defines the European Terrestrial Reference System ETRS89 in Poland. A close connection between the ASG-EUPOS stations and 15 out of 18 Polish EUREF permanent network stations controls the realization of the ETRS89 on Polish territory. This paper is a review of the global ITRS, as well as a regional and a national geodetic reference systems ETRS89.     

Asymmetric deformation across the San Francisco Bay Area faults from GPS observations in Northern California

We show that geodetic data from the Bay Area Regional Deformation (BARD) network indicate asymmetric motion across the San Andreas fault in the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA), resulting from a strong contrast in rigidity across the fault, as determined previously from seismological data. Assuming asymmetric motion across the fault, we determine the location and size of the maximum strain rate in the region. We find that, compared to the determination using a symmetric model of deformation, it is shifted eastward and its value increases from ～0.4 μstrain/yr to ～0.65 μstrain/yr. Such strain rate amplitudes are consistent with previous geodetic slip rate estimates. We confirm that the geological units located east of SAF are entrained by the motion of the Pacific Plate and that the San Andreas fault (SAF) is the real rheological limit between the Pacific and North-American Plates. The asymmetry of rheology constrained in this study implies the strain rate maximum in SFBA is likely located between SAF and the Hayward fault system. This also has implications for hazards in the northern SFBA, in particular on the Rodgers creek fault.     

Velocity field and tectonic strain in Southern Spain and surrounding areas derived from GPS episodic measurements

The goal of this paper is to study the velocity field and deformation parameters in Southern Spain and surrounding areas (Ibero-Maghrebian region) using GPS episodic measurements. Results are compared to those previously published as well as deformation parameters derived from seismic data. For this purpose, a geodetic GPS network of 12 stations was observed during eight field campaigns from 1998 to 2005 by the San Fernando Naval Observatory (ROA), Spain. Relative GPS velocities in the Gulf of Cadiz with respect to the stable part of Eurasia are ～4.1 mm/yr in a NW–SE to NNW–SSE direction. In the Betics, Alboran Sea and North of Morocco, velocities are ～4.4 mm/yr in a NW–SE direction, and they are ～2.3 mm/yr in a N–S direction in the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. These results are in agreement with the anticlockwise rotation of the African plate. GPS strain tensors are determined from the velocity model, to obtain a more realistic crustal deformation model. The Gulf of Cadiz is subjected to uniform horizontal compression in a NNW–SSE direction, with a rotation to N–S in the Alboran Sea and Northern Morocco. An extensional regime in a NW–SE direction, which rotates to W–E, is present in the Internal Betics area. In the Betic, Alboran Sea and North of Morocco regions we compare seismic deformation rates from shallow earthquakes with the determined GPS deformation rates. The comparison indicates a seismic coupling of 27%, while the remaining 73% might be generated in aseismic processes. Deformations measured in the Ibero-Maghrebian region with GPS could be interpreted in terms of either elastic loading or ductile deformation.