First results from GPS measurements on present day alpine kinematics

Present day displacements of a few mm/year result from a preliminary analysis of data from permanent GPS stations positioned along the flanks of the Alps. The largest rates occur across the Alps: the Zimmerwald - Torino line, in the Western sector, increases its length at a rate of 5.2 mm/year. The line is very nearly accommodated by the Grasse - Torino line, which decreases at a very similar rate. No statistically significant displacement is evident in the Eastern sector. Our data thus support the hypothesis that the present day motion of Adria against Europe favours the escape to the West and Southwest of the North-western sectors of Italy. As the analysis of GPS data progresses, it should be possible to constrain by GPS measurements the present location of the Adria rotation pole and better test the 'rigid block' assumption. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.