Here, we present a combined analysis of GNSS-derived strain rate maps in accordance with recent seismicity to reveal that the N-S extension is accommodated primarily by strike-slip faulting of the İzmir Balıkesir Transfer Zone (İBTZ) where a counter clockwise rotation (approx. 25-100º/Myr) along vertical axis is dominant. Our results indicate that strike-slip segments within the İBTZ show variable transport sense and amount of slip along them and they connect by hard linkage relay ramps with the dip to oblique slip normal faults. According to the strain map, Karaburun Peninsula has the largest strain rates of 137 ns/yr extension (NE-SW) and 126 ns/yr (NW-SE) compression. To the south the largest strain areas begin to shrink where the NW-trending sinistral Riedel fault is located. The smallest strains in the region are measured on the NEtrending Tuzla Fault compatible with right lateral component. Based on this, the northern part of the Karaburun Peninsula has the shortest recurrence period in the 3 region. The geodetic earthquake recurrence periods throughout the region as 800 yr for magnitudes 7 and above and 70 yr for magnitudes between 6 and 7. The period was calculated 30 years for M>5.5 (with 99% probability) and 100 years for M> 6 (with 95% probability). These are in consistent with geodetic earthquake recurrence periods (25-30 years for M> 5.5 and 80-100 years for M> 6). This result shows that the seismic hazard sources in the region have increased the earthquake risk that may caused loss of life and property in near future.