TRAJECTORIES OF CRUSTAL DEFORMATION OF WESTERN GREECE FROM GPS OBSERVATIONS 1989-1994

The geodynamic processes in the Alpine-Mediterranean area are reflecte d in the recent crustal movements determined by satellite geodesy. The re is counterclockwise rotation of Africa relative to Eurasia, with co mplex deformation in between. We report repeated GPS measurements carr ied out between SE Italy and the island of Crete in the period 1989 to 1994. The data reveal distinct crustal motion of the central Ionian I slands and SW Greece: Over the time span of five years Western Greece has moved 200mm +/- 10mm to the SW relative to SE Italy and Epiros. Th e trajectories constructed from the repeated observations show that th e boundary zone against the sites of nd significant motion relative to South Italy coincides with the Kephalonia fault zone (KFZ). This inte nse deformation accounts in part for the earthquakes that have frequen tly devastated the central Ionian Islands.