Crustal deformation measurements by global positioning system (GPS) along NSL, western India

The Narmada Son Lineament (NSL) is a major palaeo-rift system and seismically active intra-plate region. In this paper, we processed and analyzed the GPS data from 2009 to 2016 to study the geodynamic characteristics of NSL. The velocities derived from GPS were used to calculate the associated deformation and crustal strain, while the slip deficit was estimated using the horizontal motion of GPS sites. The investigation reveals that the maximum deformation of western NSL is 1.6 mm per year, and the upper bound of the seismic moment (M0) is 2.0 × 1024 dyn/cm, corresponding to an earthquake of about 6.0 magnitude. The study highlights the significance of Aravalli and Satpura mobile belts. The estimated strain of 0.03 μstrain/yr is low but comparable to the stable continental region, and a close association of factors (the fragility, crustal conductors, and compressive tectonics) is considered responsible for seismogenic activities in western NSL.