Estimation of transient deformation on cGPS measurements at Taiwan region: Implications for tectonic and surface processes

Abstract:

Transient deformation on geodetic time series is usually caused by the tectonic or surface processes. Surface processes include multiple durations that could be trapped or ignored using general time series analysis. We first recognize overall transient signals in Taiwan region recorded by continuous GPS (cGPS) networks. Sparse estimation techniques and Bi-splines function are used to detect the signals on cGPS time series then estimate the parameters. Our study analyzes the transient deformation by using a multi-dataset of the cGPS, seismogram, digital terrain model (DTM), and rainfall gauges. We establish a systematic classification by weighting both the empirical trigger factors and regional criterion to classify the signals into seven types. Spatial and temporal characteristics of transient deformation show three major contributions in Taiwan region including the seismic-related, landslides-related, and slow-slip transients. The cGPS networks in Taiwan region show long-term transient deformation at rates 2-68 mm/yr, ~14%-75% of their tectonic interseismic velocities. Tectonic and surface processes involve ~38%-85% and ~15%-62%, respectively, in the transient deformation under different geological units of Taiwan region. The lack of consideration for the transient deformation in surface processes would underestimate their biases on tectonic interseismic velocity. Statistical linking between cGPS transient deformation, tectonic and surface processes of Taiwan indicate that earthquake, typhoon, and topography play important roles in the occurrence of transient deformation.