Spatial Variations of Slip and Creep Rates Along the Southern and Central Dead Sea Fault and the Carmel–Gilboa Fault System.

Crustal deformation and seismic activity in the Levant is mainly related to the interplate Dead Sea Fault (DSF) and the intraplate Carmel–Gilboa Fault System (CGFS). In this study, we analyze the interseismic deformation along these fault systems using 23 years of Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements obtained from 209 campaign and 60 continuous stations. This GPS data set is the longest record and the densest data set for the DSF, the CGFS, and the Levant region. We use this data set to investigate the spatial variations of slip and creep rates along the southern and central sections of the DSF and the CGFS. Our inversion model results indicate that part of the tectonic motion is transferred from the DSF to the CGFS. We find that the left‐lateral strike‐slip motion along the DSF decreases in a rate of 0.9 ± 0.4 mm/year, from 4.8 ± 0.3 mm/year south to the intersection with the CGFS to 3.9 ± 0.4 mm/year north to this intersection. Along the CGFS, the left‐lateral strike‐slip motion ranges between ∼0.3 and 0.5 mm/year and the extension rate between ∼0.6 and 0.7 mm/year, indicating a total slip rate vector of 0.8 ± 0.4 mm/year in the DSF direction, in agreement with the reduction of slip rate along the DSF near the intersection with the CGFS. Shallow creep is found along the southern and central sections of the Dead Sea basin and the northern Jordan Valley section of the DSF, with creep rates of 3.4 ± 0.4 and 2.3 ± 0.4 mm/year, respectively. These creeping sections were identified as areas with thick Halite layers at the shallow subsurface. We suggest that shallow creep behavior along the DSF is govern by the presence and mechanical properties of the Halite, which probably allows plastic deformation and the transition to velocity strengthening at the shallow subsurface and promotes creep. Plain Language Summary: The variations in slip and creep rates along major faults and the distribution of strain rates are key factors in seismic hazard assessment. In this study, we address these factors for the Dead Sea Fault (DSF) and the Carmel–Gilboa Fault System (CGFS) using the longest record and the densest Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements for the Levant region. The DSF is the boundary between Arabia and Sinai tectonic plates, and the CGFS is a major intraplate fault system within the Sinai plate. We used 23 years of GPS measurements obtained from 269 stations. We find that the left‐lateral strike‐slip motion along the southern DSF is ∼5 mm/year and decreases to ∼4 mm/year north to the intersection with the CGFS. Along the CGFS, a total slip rate of ∼0.8 mm/year in the DSF direction is found. Shallow creep is found along the southern and central sections of the Dead Sea basin and the northern Jordan Valley section of the DSF. These creeping sections were identified as areas with thick salt layers at the shallow subsurface. We therefore suggest that the shallow creep along the DSF is due to the salt behavior, which can deform plastically and creep. Key Points: The interseismic deformation along the Dead Sea Fault (DSF) and the Carmel–Gilboa Fault System (CGFS) is analyzed using 23 years of dense Global Positioning System (GPS) measurementsA decrease in the slip rate along the DSF due to slip partitioning with the CGFS is found near the intersection of these faultsShallow creep is found along the southern and central sections of the Dead Sea basin and the northern Jordan Valley section of the DSF [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]