Simulation study on the use of MEDLAS derived point motions for geokinematic models

The expected station coordinate shifts to be observed within the Mediterranean Laser Project (MEDLAS) are modelled with respect to different kinematic models. The first model is that of rigid microplates, whose kinematics is given by individual plate rotation vectors. These vectors can be estimated if a high accuracy of station shift observations is available (± 1 mm/yr). A physically more sophisticated model is that of a deformable continuum. The deformations can be modelled by a finite element approach if the rheology of the earth's crust is known. A purely mathematical approach is applied by least squares vector prediction. The results of all models are compared.