Assessing the Impact of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, Earthquakes on the CORS Network in Israel

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of two significant earthquakes, measuring 7.8 Mw and 7.6 Mw, that occurred on February 6, 2023, in Turkey, on the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network in Israel. This study analyzed the effect on 16 CORS stations in Israel, with the epicenters of the earthquakes approximately 500 km from the northernmost station and about 900 km from the southernmost station in the network. The seismic events led to both coseismic displacements and postseismic deformations within Israel. The findings revealed significant changes, on the order of a few centimeters, in station locations, both in absolute terms and relative to each other. Stations closer to the earthquake epicenters experienced a more pronounced impact compared to those farther away. The geodetic datum in Israel is defined as a semi-dynamic datum. This datum necessitates periodic updates to account for various factors affecting the movement of the Earth’s crust. Given this context, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the impact of the February 2023 earthquakes on the CORS network in Israel. This assessment will aid in evaluating changes in site locations, determining their magnitude, and guiding necessary corrective actions to update the Israeli semi-dynamic datum.