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The present study investigates azimuthal anisotropy and its relation to the geodynamical processes beneath the back‐arc of the Hellenic subduction zone in the eastern Aegean and western Anatolia where surface tectonics is dominated by the right‐lateral strike‐slip North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) in the north and E‐W oriented normal fault systems. We obtained apparent SKS splitting parameters from 1,660 good quality and 137 null measurements extracted from 542 events recorded at 40 permanent broadband seismic stations. Overall, the station‐averaged splitting parameters indicate NNE‐SSW oriented fast directions (∼N20°E) and splitting delays around ∼1.5 s. The large splitting delays, particularly observed beneath the northern Aegean can be explained by either an enlarged mantle wedge thickness or increased strength of upper mantle anisotropy. We constrain complex anisotropy structures within two layer models from notable backazimuthal variations in individual splitting measurements observed beneath a few stations at the north located in a close proximity to the NAFZ and central‐western Anatolia. At the western end of the NAFZ, our estimated upper layer anisotropy direction (at ∼120 km) is rather parallel to the NAFZ reflecting the imprint of a lithospheric petrofabric formed by recent deformation while in central‐western Anatolia they correlate well with maximum shear directions and small splitting delays (∼0.6 s) appear to further support relatively thin lithosphere (∼90 km). An overall pattern of extension‐parallel fast directions (N10°E) within lower layer can be attributed to the slab rollback‐induced mantle flow that is highly oblique with respect to the WSW‐ward motion of the Anatolian lithosphere. Plain Language Summary: Seismological constrains on uppermost mantle structures provide essential information for better understanding of the geodynamic processes that have shaped the current deformation in complex tectonic regions. To investigate the seismic anisotropy, which is the directional dependence of seismic wave velocities, and its relation to the geodynamical processes in the upper mantle of eastern Aegean and western Anatolia, we performed splitting measurements on core‐mantle refracted shear waves recorded by 40 permanent broadband seismic stations. We overall estimate NE‐SW oriented fast polarization directions, and delay times between 0.65 and 2.2 s. The results imply that the origin of observed seismic anisotropy can be mostly explained by a combined effect of an internal deformation of the mantle lithosphere and asthenosphere. Our findings reveal the presence of two‐layer anisotropy outlining complicated structures, primarily in the upper mantle of NW Anatolia associated with the western end of North Anatolian Fault Zone. Future numerical modeling and anisotropy studies should be considered to test these results for further interpretation. Key Points: Observed seismic anisotropy can be explained by a combined effect of internal deformation of the mantle lithosphere and asthenosphereThe presence of two‐layer anisotropy is obtained beneath the upper mantle of NW AnatoliaA distinct counter‐clockwise rotation of average fast polarization directions from north to south of the Aegean region is estimated [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Estimated a minimum 1D model for P, S velocities in the area of NE Aegean. • Obtained precise relative locations for 3354 events during 2011–2017. • Faults delineated by seismicity agree with the model of transtensional deformation. • Seismogenic layer thickness estimated from depths distribution is 14.8–15.8 km. • Magnitudes of potential earthquakes along specific faults range from 6.3 to 7.2. Abstract This study relocates the seismicity in NE Aegean during the period 2011–2017 using data recorded by the Hellenic Unified Seismic Network (HUSN) in order to elucidate the relationship between seismicity and active faults in this area. P- and S-phase travel times of well-recorded events were first inverted in order to derive a minimum 1D velocity model with station delays using VELEST. Absolute locations of 4450 events were obtained by use of the nonlinear probabilistic algorithm NLLOC and the newly derived velocity model. Precise relative locations with horizontal and vertical uncertainties that do not exceed 1.2 km were calculated for 3354 events using the double-difference algorithm. The relocated seismicity delineates active faults to the south of Lesvos island, at the tip of Biga peninsula in Turkey and along the parallel strands of strike-slip faults that accommodate the westward motion of Anatolia. The comparison of the seismicity distribution with known active faults and the regional stress field shows that the strike-slip faults represent either principal shear zones, or Riedel shears oriented obliquely to the minimum stress axes. Normal faults are oriented almost perpendicular to the direction of the minimum stress axes in accordance with the transtensional deformation model. The seismogenic layer thickness derived from the depth distribution of relocated seismicity was found to be in the range of 14.8–15.8 km. By combining this thickness with geometrical characteristics of active faults and with a relationship that connects moment magnitude with rupture area, it is possible to estimate expected magnitudes of earthquakes. These magnitudes range from 6.3 to 7.2 depending on the rupture scenario that is considered for each fault. Of particular concern are the faults of Agia Paraskevi in Lesvos and Mastichochoria in Chios island that traverse densely populated areas and can produce large events with magnitudes from 6.4 to 6.9. Very little seismicity can be observed along these faults in the past 7 years, which may indicate either that they are creeping, or that they are locked and accumulate strain energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three-dimensional velocity structure of the crust in the Aegean sea and the surrounding regions (34.0º-42.OºN, 19.0ºE-29.0ºE) is investigated by inversion of about 10000 residuals of arrival times of P-wave from local events. The resulting velocity structure shows strong horizontal variations due to the complicated crustal structure and the variations of crustal thickness. The northern part of the region generally shows high velocities. In the inner part of the volcanic arc (Southern Aegean area), relatively low velocities are observed, suggesting a large-scale absorption of seismic energy as confirmed by the low seismicity of the region. A low velocity zone was observed along the subduction zone of the region, up to a depth of 4 km. The existence of such a zone could be due to granitic or other intrusions in the crust during the uplift of the region during Alpidic orogenesis.