Preprint

·2025 OPEN ACCESS

GNSS measurements reveal unexpected far-field deformation of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, Türkiye 

Philippe Vernant , Semih Ergintav YTU , Onur Tan , Hayrullah Karabulut , Seda Özarpacı YTU , Michael Floyd , A. Ö. Konca , Ziyadin Çakır YTU , Diğdem Acarel , R. Çakmak ,

Abstract

Elastic dislocation models have been successfully used to model co-seismic displacements in numerous studies. Expected far-field displacements (>500 km) are low and most of the time beyond uncertainty level of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements. In the case of the moment magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on 6 February 2023, the Türkiye’s extensive and continuous GNSS network allowed us to show that large earthquakes can induce far-field crustal deformations (>700 kilometers), exceeding current predictions from elastic dislocation models. This and the asymmetry of the co-seismic displacements with respect to the East Anatolian fault provides crucial insights about the deformation of Earth’s crust at various scales and the interactions among tectonic plates. It also carries profound implications for seismic hazard assessments and necessitates a new perspective on crustal deformation and earthquake mechanics.

Keywords

GNSS applications Geodesy Geology Seismology Physics Astronomy Satellite

Subject Areas

Earthquake Detection and Analysis ·Geophysics ·Physical Sciences
earthquake and tectonic studies ·Geophysics ·Physical Sciences
Seismology and Earthquake Studies ·Artificial Intelligence ·Physical Sciences