Determination of recent rotation poles of the Eurasian plate based on GNSS-data

Abstract

Purpose of this work is to determine and analyze the dynamics of changes in the recent rotation poles of Eurasian plates based on measurements of permanent GNSS-stations over the past 20 years (2002–2021). Methodology. The algorithm of determination of recent rotation poles of the Eurasian plate on the basis of elaboration and analysis of time series of permanent GNSS-stations prepared by Nevada Geodetic Laboratory and available in free access is presented in the work. Structurally, this algorithmconsists of three successive stages: preparation of initial data, determination of speeds of horizontal movements and determination of modern rotation poles. The proposed algorithm is implemented in the software package MathCAD. Results. The components of the vectors of recent horizontal displacements of 882 permanent GNSS-stations located on the Eurasian plate for the period2002–2021 have been determined. It is established that the values of the vectors of recent horizontal movements are in the range of 17.1–49.3 mm / year and have a north-easterly direction. The accuracy of determining the constituent vectors of recent horizontal motions averages 15 % of the vector length. A map-scheme of the spatial distribution of the velocity field of recent horizontal motions of permanent GNSS-stations is constructed. Using the obtained velocities of permanent GNSS-stations, the recent rotation poles of the Eurasian plate were determined, namely the angular velocity and coordinates of the pole of rotation (w = 0.278±0.001”/рік; f = 56.885±0.227°N; l = –94.120±0.472°E). The obtained results are in good agreement with recent models of movements for this plate. The calculation and analysis of the average annual rotation poles of the Eurasian plate to study the dynamics of their change over time. It has been confirmed that rotation poles are dynamic parameters, but additional studies are needed to determine in detail the factors that cause such dynamics. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The presented algorithm and the obtained values of recent rotation poles of the Eurasian plate can be used to develop new and refine existing models of plate movements and coordinate systems, as well as to predict the movements of the earth’s crust on a global scale. A promising area of further research is to determine the recent rotation poles of other plates and to establish the relationship between them.