Coseismic Deformation, Fault Slip Distribution, and Coulomb Stress Perturbation of the 2023 Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Doublet Based on SAR Offset Tracking

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1. This paper utilizes Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) as a methodology but lacks an introductory explanation for this method.

2. SAR, an acronym for Synthetic Aperture Radar, should be spelled out in full when it is first introduced in the paper. A similar issue is observed with InSAR.

3. The English in this paper can be challenging to comprehend and requires refinement by a native English speaker.

4. Some of the figures in the paper are unattractive or unclear, particularly Figures 2, 3, and 6, among others.

5. The paper lacks a clear emphasis on its novelty, which is a crucial aspect that should be explicitly summarized and highlighted within the content。

6. The paper's structure appears to be somewhat convoluted, which could potentially hinder reader comprehension. I recommend incorporating a flowchart or a dedicated introductory paragraph to elucidate the paper's logical framework and enhance its overall clarity.

The English in this paper can be challenging to comprehend and requires refinement by a native English speaker.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The objective of this paper is to study the coseismic deformation, fault slip distribution and coulomb stress perturbation of the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake doublet based on SAR offset tracking. In particular, SAR data, processed by pixel offset tracking technology, were used to derive a two-dimensional displacement of the Turkey earthquake sequence, while the displacement change analysis highlighted the geometric characteristics and deformation magnitude of the rupture fault. Furthermore, the coseismic slip distribution of the earthquake sequence was inverted, based on the homogeneous elastic half-space dislocation model, while the fault motion, rupture patterns and stress transferred were additionally analyzed in order to support further points into the mechanisms of strong earthquake induction and inter-plate motion on the EAFZ.

This is an interesting and well-structured paper. All necessary sections (Introduction, Data Collection and Analysis, Analysis of Offset Deformation Results, Fault Model and Slip Distribution Inversion, Discussion, Conclusion). Moreover, the “Fault Model and Slip Distribution Inversion” and “Discussion” sections are divided into sub-sections, providing additional details. Furthermore, all Figures, Tables and Diagrams are consistent with the analysis provided in the manuscript. However, some changes should be implemented, which will improve the paper. In particular:

Line 31: Please, change the numbering of the “Introduction” section (into number 1) and then apply the new numbering into all sections and sub-sections throughout the manuscript.

Lines 47-48: This part lacks recent references, related both to the recent seismic events and the geodynamic setting of the study area. Typical papers, in which the corresponding information can be obtained and optionally be cited, are the following: 1. An, Q., Feng, G., He, L., Xiong, Z., Lu, H., Wang, X., & Wei, J. (2023). Three-Dimensional Deformation of the 2023 Turkey Mw 7.8 and Mw 7.7 Earthquake Sequence Obtained by Fusing Optical and SAR Images. Remote Sensing, 15(10), 2656. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15102656, 2. Li, S., Wang, X., Tao, T., Zhu, Y., Qu, X., Li, Z., Huang, J., & Song, S. (2023). Source Model of the 2023 Turkey Earthquake Sequence Imaged by Sentinel-1 and GPS Measurements: Implications for Heterogeneous Fault Behavior along the East Anatolian Fault Zone. Remote Sensing, 15(10), 2618. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15102618, 3. Reilinger, R., & McClusky, S. (2011). Nubia-Arabia-Eurasia plate motions and the dynamics of Mediterranean and Middle East tectonics. Geophysical Journal International, 186(3), 971–979. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05133.x, 4. Sboras, S., Lazos, I., Bitharis, S., Pikridas, C., Galanakis, D., Fotiou, A., Chatzipetros, A., & Pavlides, S. (2021). Source modelling and stress transfer scenarios of the October 30, 2020 Samos earthquake: seismotectonic implications. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences, 30, 699–717. https://doi.org/10.3906/yer-2107-25. Please, apply.

Line 114: Before the InSAR analysis, I suggest adding a brief paragraph about the GNSS studies, related to these earthquakes and then focusing on the InSAR data. Please, apply.

Line 130-131: Please, provide a more detailed description in the Figure 2 caption.

Line 174: Please, provide Figure 3 in a higher resolution. It contains blurry parts in the current form.

Line 246-248: Please, provide a more detailed description in the Figure 4 caption. Please, emphasize in the description of Figure 4a.

Line 353: Please, provide Figure 7 in a higher resolution. The current quality is poor.

Line 358: The “Conclusions” section should be modified. In its current form it resembles an abstract rather than conclusion. This section should be comprehensive, while the major findings of the paper should be highlighted. Maybe, numbering of the concluding remarks could be performed. Please, apply.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

1.       The Narh segment (NF) (row 40)  is not marked on the map in Figure 1. For better visualization, I suggest that the location of the Narh segment (NF) be marked on the maps.

2.       Figure 3. ( g-i)  to write the measurement unit of displacement  4 ;-4  m. cm. mm. what is the unit of displacement.  From the text ( row 183-187) it is understood that it is meters, but if you look only at the figure it is unclear

3.       Figure 5. Legend -4 0 4 in m.? --  to record that it is in meters

4.       Figure 5. “Black lines denote surface rupture  traces”--- In figure 5 there are no black lines but thicker white ones

5.       Text ( row 183-187) For a better visualization, this information can be presented in tabular form

6.       Abbreviations:

·         row 60 GPS

·         row 91 HR-GNSS

·         row114 InSAR

·         row 164 GCMT

·         row261 USGS

  At the first occurrence in the text, write the full name and the abbreviation in brackets

example: Global Positioning System (GPS)

7.    In the Introduction, it is customary to describe an overview of the scientific problem.

 Which other authors have worked on the scientific question under consideration.

The positive qualities of the previous scientific works are emphasized, or as well as their shortcomings

 Add  References for SAR data

 It were published in April 2023 -  one month after the earthquake

Li, S.; Wang, X.; Tao, T.; Zhu, Y.; Qu, X.; Li, Z.; Huang, J.;Song, S. Source Model of the 2023

Turkey Earthquake Sequence Imaged by Sentinel-1 and GPS Measurements: Implications for

Heterogeneous Fault Behavior along the East Anatolian Fault Zone. Remote Sens. 2023, 15, 2618. https:// doi.org/10.3390/rs15102618

Atanasova M.,. Raykova P, Nikolov H., “Determining the Deformations of the Earth’s Surface after the Earthquakes in Turkey-Syria of 06 February 2023 - Initial Results”, C. R. Acad. Bulg. Sci. , vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 554–562, Apr. 2023. https://www.proceedings.bas.bg/index.php/cr/article/view/293/283

An, Q.; Feng, G.; He, L.;Xiong, Z.; Lu, H.;Wang, X.;Wei, J., Three-Dimensional Deformation of

the 2023 Turkey Mw 7.8 and Mw 7.7Earthquake Sequence Obtained byFusing Optical and SAR Images.Remote Sens. 2023, 15, 2656. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15102656

I highly appreciate the work proposed for review. I believe that after the corrections described above are applied, it will be ready for printing.

I recommend that the article be accepted with a few minor corrections

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The revised version has been improved a lot and I don't have more comments.