Abstract: In this paper, we proposed an analytical method for calculating deformation intensity based on the theory of numerical approximation and the result of crust deformation velocity obtained from GNSS observation. In terms of the characters or types of deformation, we defined deformation intensity, horizontal deformation intensity, horizontal and shear deformation intensity, horizontal tensile and press deformation intensity, and vertical and shear deformation intensity. As examples, we calculated the movement results from the data measured by GNSS 1999—2007, and the charactertics of crustal movement and deformation in Sichuan-Yunnan region are analyzed. The different nature of the spatial variation of intensity of deformation is given.

Key words: GNSS, Crust deformation, Deformation intensity, Description of deformation field, Numerical approximation