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Precise Contemporary Crustal Strain and Rotation Rates Derived from GNSS Measurements in the Pamir–Tian Shan Region.

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Title: Precise Contemporary Crustal Strain and Rotation Rates Derived from GNSS Measurements in the Pamir–Tian Shan Region.
Authors: Yao, Rui1 (AUTHOR), Zhu, Shoubiao1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Remote Sensing. May2026, Vol. 18 Issue 10, p1618. 19p.
Subjects: Geological strains & stresses, Global Positioning System, Orogeny, Angular velocity, Earthquake hazard analysis, Structural geology
Geographic Terms: Eurasia, Tien Shan, Pamir
Abstract: Highlights: What are the main findings? Present-day strain and rotation rates are estimated using updated GNSS velocities in the Pamir–Tian Shan region. The derived strain field is consistent with major active tectonic structures. Deformation patterns reflect ongoing India–Eurasia convergence and interactions among regional blocks. What are the implications of the main findings? This study presents precise strain and rotation rates, enabling tighter constraints for the interpretation of the formation and evolution of Pamir–Tian Shan zone. This study highlights that GNSS-based strain rate mapping provides an additional, physically independent constraint on the long-term seismic potential of active structures, thereby contributing to more robust regional seismic hazard evaluations. The Pamir–Tian Shan domain constitutes one of the most actively deforming intracontinental orogenic systems associated with continued India–Eurasia convergence. Characterizing present-day deformation in this region is fundamental to deciphering its geodynamic evolution and assessing seismic risk. Existing strain rate models based on GNSS measurements display noticeable discrepancies, largely attributable to variations in analytical strategies and uneven station distribution. In this study, we determine the present crustal strain and rotation fields across the Pamir–Tian Shan area using the most updated GNSS velocity solution referenced to stable Eurasia. To address the issues of inconsistent strain rate field results and lack of reliability verification in previous studies based on GNSS data, this paper computes the crustal strain rate field (principal strain rate, maximum shear strain rate, dilatation strain rate, and rotational strain rate) with a grid spacing of 0.75° × 0.75° in the study area, followed by numerical validation of the results' reliability. The derived strain field is characterized by dominant NNW–SSE shortening throughout much of the orogenic system, with peak compressional strain rates (~1.0 × 10−7 yr−1) concentrated along the Pamir Frontal Thrust. By contrast, the interior of the Pamir Plateau exhibits clear EW extension, consistent with areas affected by normal-faulting earthquakes. High values of shear strain rates are primarily localized along major active fault systems, whereas negative dilatational components indicate overall contraction within the Tian Shan. The rotation-rate distribution reveals clockwise rotation of the Tarim Basin (approximately 0.6°/Myr) together with counterclockwise rotation affecting the Pamir and Tian Shan blocks, accommodated by prominent strike–slip fault networks. The close spatial agreement between the modeled strain patterns, active tectonic structures, and focal mechanism solutions supports the reliability of the inferred deformation field. The research results of this paper are of great scientific significance for in-depth study of the tectonic evolution and earthquake disaster assessment in the Pamir–Tian Shan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Remote Sensing is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Precise Contemporary Crustal Strain and Rotation Rates Derived from GNSS Measurements in the Pamir–Tian Shan Region.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Remote+Sensing%22">Remote Sensing</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 18 Issue 10, p1618. 19p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Eurasia%22">Eurasia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Tien+Shan%22">Tien Shan</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pamir%22">Pamir</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Highlights: What are the main findings? Present-day strain and rotation rates are estimated using updated GNSS velocities in the Pamir–Tian Shan region. The derived strain field is consistent with major active tectonic structures. Deformation patterns reflect ongoing India–Eurasia convergence and interactions among regional blocks. What are the implications of the main findings? This study presents precise strain and rotation rates, enabling tighter constraints for the interpretation of the formation and evolution of Pamir–Tian Shan zone. This study highlights that GNSS-based strain rate mapping provides an additional, physically independent constraint on the long-term seismic potential of active structures, thereby contributing to more robust regional seismic hazard evaluations. The Pamir–Tian Shan domain constitutes one of the most actively deforming intracontinental orogenic systems associated with continued India–Eurasia convergence. Characterizing present-day deformation in this region is fundamental to deciphering its geodynamic evolution and assessing seismic risk. Existing strain rate models based on GNSS measurements display noticeable discrepancies, largely attributable to variations in analytical strategies and uneven station distribution. In this study, we determine the present crustal strain and rotation fields across the Pamir–Tian Shan area using the most updated GNSS velocity solution referenced to stable Eurasia. To address the issues of inconsistent strain rate field results and lack of reliability verification in previous studies based on GNSS data, this paper computes the crustal strain rate field (principal strain rate, maximum shear strain rate, dilatation strain rate, and rotational strain rate) with a grid spacing of 0.75° × 0.75° in the study area, followed by numerical validation of the results' reliability. The derived strain field is characterized by dominant NNW–SSE shortening throughout much of the orogenic system, with peak compressional strain rates (~1.0 × 10−7 yr−1) concentrated along the Pamir Frontal Thrust. By contrast, the interior of the Pamir Plateau exhibits clear EW extension, consistent with areas affected by normal-faulting earthquakes. High values of shear strain rates are primarily localized along major active fault systems, whereas negative dilatational components indicate overall contraction within the Tian Shan. The rotation-rate distribution reveals clockwise rotation of the Tarim Basin (approximately 0.6°/Myr) together with counterclockwise rotation affecting the Pamir and Tian Shan blocks, accommodated by prominent strike–slip fault networks. The close spatial agreement between the modeled strain patterns, active tectonic structures, and focal mechanism solutions supports the reliability of the inferred deformation field. The research results of this paper are of great scientific significance for in-depth study of the tectonic evolution and earthquake disaster assessment in the Pamir–Tian Shan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Remote Sensing is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.3390/rs18101618
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 1618
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Geological strains & stresses
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Global Positioning System
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Orogeny
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Angular velocity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Earthquake hazard analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Structural geology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Eurasia
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Tien Shan
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pamir
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Precise Contemporary Crustal Strain and Rotation Rates Derived from GNSS Measurements in the Pamir–Tian Shan Region.
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            NameFull: Yao, Rui
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            NameFull: Zhu, Shoubiao
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            – D: 15
              M: 05
              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 18
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              Value: 10
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