Numerical modelling of deformation changes induced by lake-level fluctuations of the Hohenwarte reservoir, Thuringia, Germany

We explore the deformation effects caused by the water load of the Hohenwarte reservoir, both on a short-term seasonal time scale and a long-term decadal time scale. The seasonal effect, mainly induced by elastic deformation, results in tilt and strain deformation in the 4 μ rad and 1 μ strain ranges, respectively. Long-term decadal variations, however, are unlikely to be significant, if a realistic viscoelastic structure of the underlying upper mantle is used.