Slip rates, diffuse deformation and interseismic loading in central and southwestern Greece, from GNSS velocities

Summary This study leverages a new, improved and densified GNSS velocity field of the western Aegean region to quantify slip rates, strain localisation, and interseismic loading within the upper plate of the Hellenic subduction zone, including the deformation systems associated with the subduction–collision transition around Cephalonia, the Hellenic forearc extension, and the southwestern termination of the North Anatolian Fault system. We examine several active tectonic domains, comprising four extensional regions (Corinth–Patras Rift, Evia Gulf, Argolic Gulf, southwestern Peloponnese) and three strike-slip systems (Cephalonia Transform Fault, Katouna–Stamna Fault System, Movri Fault Zone). Across the Corinth Rift, NS extension increases westward from ≈ 7 to ≈ 15 mm.yr^1.0pt--1, of which up to ≈ 6 mm.yr^1.0pt--1 is accommodated offshore. Velocity profiles indicate combined elastic loading and aseismic creep on a limited number of crustal-scale faults. The Evia–Boeotia sector undergoes NS extension at up to 8 mm.yr^1.0pt--1, but deformation is distributed across multiple structures, each accommodating creep or elastic loading at rates <2 mm.yr^1.0pt--1. In the southern Peloponnese, diffuse EW extension of up to 6 mm.yr^1.0pt--1 occurs alongside 1–2 mm.yr^1.0pt--1 of NS extension in the central Peloponnese. A portion of this EW deformation may be accumulating interseismically as elastic strain on prominent structures, such as the Sparti and East Messenia faults. No measurable strain is detected across the Argolic Gulf, suggesting substantially lower present-day loading rates on the Astros Fault than previously inferred. Strike-slip systems display contrasting behaviours. The Katouna segment accommodates transtensional left-lateral creep of ≈ 13 mm.yr^1.0pt--1 within a zone <6 km wide, whereas slip decreases to ≈ 8 mm.yr^1.0pt--1 on the Stamna segment, consistent with strain transfer through the Trichonida pull-apart basin and the Nafpaktia diffuse shear zone. In contrast, the Movri Fault appears locked down to at least 10 km depth, accumulating ≈ 4 mm.yr^1.0pt--1 of right-lateral strain. Onshore velocities near the Cephalonia Transform Fault indicate an onshore half-rate of elastic loading of ≈ 8 mm.yr^1.0pt--1, suggesting that the full transpressional right-lateral motion (≈ 16 mm.yr^1.0pt--1) accumulates interseismically, highlighting considerable seismic hazard potential.