Geodetic Monitoring of the Variable Surface Deformation in Latin America

Based on 24 years of high-level GNSS data analysis, we present a sequence of crustal deformation models showing the varying surface kinematics in Latin America. The deformation models are inferred from GNSS station horizontal velocities using a least-squares collocation approach with empirically determined covariance functions. The main innovation of this study is the assumption of continuous surface deformation. We do not introduce rigid microplates, blocks or slivers which enforce constraints on the deformation model. Our results show that the only stable areas in Latin America are the Guiana, Brazilian and Atlantic shields; the other tectonic entities, like the Caribbean plate and the North Andes, Panama and Altiplano blocks are deforming. The present surface deformation is highly influenced by the effects of seven major earthquakes: Arequipa (Mw8.4, Jun 2001), Maule (Mw8.8, Feb 2010), Nicoya (Mw7.6, Sep 2012), Champerico (Mw7.4, Nov 2012), Pisagua (Mw8.2, Apr 2014), Illapel (Mw8.3, Sep 2015), and Pedernales (Mw7.8, Apr 2016). We see very significant kinematic variations: while the earthquakes in Champerico and Nicoya have modified the aseismic deformation regime in Central America by up to 5 and 12 mm/a, respectively, the earthquakes in the Andes have resulted in changes of up to 35 mm/a. Before the earthquakes, the deformation vectors are roughly in the direction of plate subduction. After the earthquakes, the deformation vectors describe a rotation counter-clockwise south of the epicentres and clockwise north of the epicentres. The deformation model series reveals that this kinematic pattern slowly disappears with post-seismic relaxation. The numerical results of this study are available at https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.912349 and https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.912350.