Abstract
In this study, the creep rate across the North Anatolian Fault was directly measured in the western Sea of Marmara using the seafloor acoustic ranging technique; the data reveal coupling conditions on the fault interface and stress accumulation with implications for regional seismic risk evaluation. Continuous measurements over a period of 3.5 years at a site in the Western High clearly indicate right-lateral displacement at a rate of 10.7 ± 4.7 mm/year (95% confidence level); approximately half of the regional block motion at this location is released by this steady motion. A simple model of three elastic layers—a partially creeping sedimentary layer (8 km) at the top with the observed rate, a locked (3 km) and fully creeping layer in the middle, and a bottom layer—assumed from seismicity, reasonably explains onshore Global Navigation Satellite System data for the surrounding region.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1268-1275 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2019 Feb 16 |
Keywords
- North Anatolian Fault
- acoustic ranging
- creep
- sea of Marmara
- seafloor geodesy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geophysics
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)