Investigation of velocity information of the antarctic continent using GNSS data

The asthenosphere layer, the hardest crust of the Earth, consists of many plates, large and small, that are in motion on the mantle layer. These plate movements and their interactions lead to geodynamic activities. Monitoring these activities is essential for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date reference system. This study investigates the horizontal and vertical movements of the Antarctic Plate resulting from its interactions with neighboring plates. Various space-based geodetic methods, such as GNSS, VLBI, SLR, and InSAR, are used to determine the movements of tectonic plates. Among these, GNSS is the most commonly used method today. By analyzing data from fixed GNSS stations with scientific or commercial software, plate motions are examined. Within the scope of this thesis, GNSS data from 2020 to 2023 were analyzed using Gamit/Globk software, resulting in the determination of the coordinates and velocities of the Antarctic, South American, African, and Australian plates in the ITRF14 reference frame. Additionally, plate-fixed solutions were performed to observe the relative motion of the Antarctic Plate concerning other plates. In the evaluations carried out, it was determined that the Antarctic plate has a velocity of 4-18 mm/year (ITRF14), shows a divergent plate feature with the African and Australian plates, and exhibits transform plate motion with the South American plate. These findings have also been observed to be consistent between 0-5 mm compared to the different existing spherical plate motion patterns.