Exploration of crustal deformation and tectonic interactions in Mexico based on continuous GPS data

In this study, we evaluated the displacements monitored at 94 continuous GPS (CGPS) sites from networks operating across Mexico from 1995 to 2019. High-precision geodetic-grade GPS receivers with dual-frequency capabilities continuously collected the data. We analyze CGPS sites in Mexico together with 20 sites outside of Mexico, on the Pacific and North American plates, to understand the crustal deformation and the relation to the movement of the tectonic plates. The northern CGPS exhibits motions consistent with the North American Plate with residual velocities from 0.11 to 1.66 mm/year. Southern sites show significantly higher residual velocities ranging from 1.15 to 22.74 mm/year. The study incorporates observed GPS velocities to investigate crustal domain rotations, internal deformation, block locking depth, and transient phenomena. The analysis focuses on the Anza Domain, Peninsular Ranges Domain, Borderlands Domain in Baja California, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in Central Mexico, Jalisco Domain, Michoacán Domain, Guerrero Domain in southwest Mexico, and Mayan Domain in Mexico Southeast. Our findings provide new insights into the intricate tectonic interactions and crustal deformation patterns across Mexico, challenging and refining the current understanding of the region’s geodynamics. Our detailed analysis of continuous GPS data over 24 years provides unprecedented insights into the relative motion and slip rates between these crustal domains. These findings significantly advance the understanding of crustal deformation and tectonic processes in Mexico, offering new perspectives that challenge and refine existing models.