Future Satellite Gravimetry And Earth Dynamics

New and more accurate techniques for satellite gravimetry will be available soon, with promising applications in Earth sciences. With this special issue the authors want to stimulate discussion among Earth scientists on objectives and preferences for future satellite gravimetry missions. This is an urgently needed discussion. Visions for follow-on missions have to be developed today, if they are to be realized within 10 years, given the required preparation time of such satellite missions.

The fourth edition of this textbook has been thoroughly revised in order to reflect the central role which geodesy has achieved in the past ten years. The Global Geodetic Observing System established by the IAG utilizes a variety of techniques to determine the geometric shape of the earth and its kinematics, the variations of earth rotation, and the earth’s gravity field. Space techniques play a fundamental role, with recent space missions also including gravity field recovery. Terrestrial techniques are important for regional and local applications, and for validating the results of the space missions. Global and regional reference systems are now well established and widely used. They also serve as a basis for geo-information systems. The analysis of the time variation of the geodetic products provides the link to other geosciences and contributes to proper modelling of geodynamic processes. The book follows the principal directions of geodesy, providing the theoretical background as well as the principles of measurement and evaluation methods. Selected examples of instruments illustrate the geodetic work. An extensive reference list supports further studies. The book is intended to serve as an introductory textbook for graduate students as well as a reference for scientists and engineers in the fields of geodesy, geophysics, surveying engineering and geomatics.

Over the last two decades, satellite gravimetry has become a new remote sensing technique that provides a detailed global picture of the physical structure of the Earth. With the CHAMP, GRACE, GOCE and GRACE Follow-On missions, mass distribution and mass transport in the Earth system can be systematically observed and monitored from space. A wide range of Earth science disciplines benefit from these data, enabling improvements in applied models, providing new insights into Earth system processes (e.g., monitoring the global water cycle, ice sheet and glacier melting or sea-level rise) or establishing new operational services. Long time series of mass transport data are needed to disentangle anthropogenic and natural sources of climate change impacts on the Earth system. In order to secure sustained observations on a long-term basis, space agencies and the Earth science community are currently planning future satellite gravimetry mission concepts to enable higher accuracy and better spatial and temporal resolution. This Special Issue provides examples of recent improvements in gravity observation techniques and data processing and analysis, applications in the fields of hydrology, glaciology and solid Earth based on satellite gravimetry data, as well as concepts of future satellite constellations for monitoring mass transport in the Earth system.

Authoritative reviews on the wide-ranging ramifications of climate change, from an international team of eminent researchers.

Satellite Gravimetry and the Solid Earth: Mathematical Foundations presents the theories behind satellite gravimetry data and their connections to solid Earth. It covers the theory of satellite gravimetry and data analysis, presenting it in a way that is accessible across geophysical disciplines. Through a discussion of satellite measurements and the mathematical concepts behind them, the book shows how various satellite measurements, such as satellite orbit, acceleration, vector gravimetry, gravity gradiometry, and integral energy methods can contribute to an understanding of the gravity field and solid Earth geophysics. Bridging the gap between geodesy and geophysics, this book is a valuable resource for researchers and students studying gravity, gravimetry and a variety of geophysical and Earth Science fields. Presents mathematical concepts in a pedagogic and straightforward way to enhance understanding across disciplines Explains how a variety of satellite data can be used for gravity field determination and other geophysical applications Covers a number of problems related to gravimetry and the gravity field, as well as the effects of atmospheric and topographic factors on the data Addresses the regularization method for solving integral equations, isostasy based on gravimetric and flexure methods, elastic thickness, and sub-lithospheric stress

Over the last two decades, satellite gravimetry has become a new remote sensing technique that provides a detailed global picture of the physical structure of the Earth. With the CHAMP, GRACE, GOCE and GRACE Follow-On missions, mass distribution and mass transport in the Earth system can be systematically observed and monitored from space. A wide range of Earth science disciplines benefit from these data, enabling improvements in applied models, providing new insights into Earth system processes (e.g., monitoring the global water cycle, ice sheet and glacier melting or sea-level rise) or establishing new operational services. Long time series of mass transport data are needed to disentangle anthropogenic and natural sources of climate change impacts on the Earth system. In order to secure sustained observations on a long-term basis, space agencies and the Earth science community are currently planning future satellite gravimetry mission concepts to enable higher accuracy and better spatial and temporal resolution. This Special Issue provides examples of recent improvements in gravity observation techniques and data processing and analysis, applications in the fields of hydrology, glaciology and solid Earth based on satellite gravimetry data, as well as concepts of future satellite constellations for monitoring mass transport in the Earth system.

For the past three decades, it has been possible to measure the earth's static gravity from satellites. Such measurements have been used to address many important scientific problems, including the earth's internal structure, and geologically slow processes like mantle convection. In principle, it is possible to resolve the time-varying component of the gravity field by improving the accuracy of satellite gravity measurements. These temporal variations are caused by dynamic processes that change the mass distribution in the earth, oceans, and atmosphere. Acquisition of improved time-varying gravity data would open a new class of important scientific problems to analysis, including crustal motions associated with earthquakes and changes in groundwater levels, ice dynamics, sea-level changes, and atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns. This book evaluates the potential for using satellite technologies to measure the time-varying component of the gravity field and assess the utility of these data for addressing problems of interest to the earth sciences, natural hazards, and resource communities.