Recent international research has presented unique data based on 44,000 radar images from Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites and 14,000 ground-based GPS measurements.
According to the results of the world's largest satellite study of tectonic processes, it was found that fault lines in the Earth's crust are much less stable, and continents have greater mobility than previously thought. The main focus of the work, published in the journal Science, was on the Tibetan Plateau, formed as a result of the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates.
The study, conducted under the guidance of scientists from the British COMET center and the University of Leeds, brought together a team of experts from Edinburgh, Oxford, Beijing, Melbourne, New York, and other scientific institutions.
The researchers analyzed one of the most extensive sets of geodetic data in history and created maps of ground movement with an accuracy of up to one millimeter. This was made possible by combining data from more than 44,000 radar images and 14,000 ground measurements.
“This study provides the best view to date of continental deformation under the influence of powerful geological forces,” noted Professor Tim Wright from the University of Leeds, the lead author of the study. “We have gained the ability to observe the real movement of the Tibetan Plateau.”
The cartographic data indicate that the eastern part of the plateau is “flowing” eastward at a speed of up to 25 millimeters per year, while other areas are moving more slowly or even stretching in opposite directions. This points to a complex and ongoing process of deformation.
One of the main discoveries was the refutation of the old theory that the plateau consists of rigid blocks separated by clear faults. New data show that these blocks are more mobile, and the fault lines are much weaker than previously thought.
The Kunlun Fault plays an important role in this process. The study showed that it must be very weak to allow the central part of Tibet to break down and stretch, releasing accumulated gravitational energy from the massive Earth's crust. “The weakness of the Kunlun Fault is a key factor in understanding the processes occurring in central Tibet,” added co-author of the study, Jin Fang. “This explains the extensive expansion of the region, which has posed many questions for geologists for decades.”
Additionally, the research revealed vertical movements: some areas of the plateau are rising or sinking at a rate of up to 5 millimeters per year, confirming the dynamic nature of deformation.
These results not only deepen the understanding of mountain and continent formation processes but also create a basis for revising seismic hazard models worldwide. More accurate deformation maps can significantly improve earthquake forecasting in other active zones of the planet. “This work sets a new standard for assessing seismic hazard,” commented Nuno Miranda, head of the Sentinel-1 mission at the European Space Agency. “It is truly an outstanding scientific achievement that underscores the importance of major faults in continental tectonics.”
