Temporal evolution of crustal rotation in the Aegean region based on primary geodetically-derived results and palaeomagnetism

Abstract

The Aegean is tectonically the most active and complex area in the Mediterranean region, including numerous active structures of all types of kinematics, often related to destructive seismic events. In such a tectonic environment, the estimation of rotational regime is decisive in the determination of the geodynamic and geotectonic evolution of this region. Satellite geodesy is a reliable way of estimating the rotation rate, while its comparison with palaeomagnetic data can lead to the identification of well-established patterns. To this direction, we use geodetic datasets recorded by permanent GPS/GNSS stations and we apply the triangulation methodology by combining three stations each time. Consequently, for each and every point of the 4733 extracted ones, the rotation rate and its pattern are calculated. Using the above results, two rotation models are proposed: one for the past 1 Myr and one for the past 5 Myr. In addition, the geostatistical analysis of the geodetically extracted results was carried out, in order to determine their spatial distribution. The comparison and combination of these two geodetically induced models with palaeomagnetic data, led to the delineation of distinct upper crust areas of uniform rotation within the Aegean region.