Enhancing tectonic insights in CORS-limited regions: 3D crustal deformation analysis using least squares collocation

Continuous observations from CORS are essential for monitoring crustal deformation but are limited by sparse and uneven station distribution. Moreover, many studies use only horizontal or vertical components, which can lead to incomplete interpretations. We propose a three-dimensional crustal deformation framework based on least squares collocation to improve local deformation estimation in CORS-limited areas. Applied to the Banda Arc region, the analysis identifies three local deformation blocks. At the boundary of blocks 1–2, residual horizontal velocities, vertical uplift, and 3D strain showing energy accumulation indicate a strike-slip fault zone. These results demonstrate the approach’s effectiveness for enhancing tectonic insights.