Deformation analysis of Iran Plateau using intrinsic geometry approach and C1 finite element interpolation of GPS observations

Some graphical representations are used to demonstrate the deformation patterns within the Iran plateau and they are compared with the tectonic features and seismicity map of this region. The results of strain anslysis reveal that the most parts of the network have been contracted with the maximum value of −9.97×10−6yr-1 and the maximum amount of shear strain has been in a rage of 3.67×10−6yr-1 which is occurred in the North part of Iran. Also moving from the northern and central regions of the network to other parts, it is observed that the maximum shear, decreases with a constant rate. Vertical deformation analysis shows that the signs of mean and Gaussian curvatures are respectively negative and positive. This fact elucidates that the Iran plateau has been undergo a subsidence in its most part. Land subsidence can be caused by natural geological phenomena such as earthquake, melting of ices, slow motion of the Earth's crust and lava exiting from solid crust of the Earth, or human activities such as mining, extraction of underground fluids including underground water, oil and gas.