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Large‐scale global surface mass variations inferred from GPS measurements of load‐induced deformation
Author(s) -
Wu Xiaoping,
Heflin Michael B.,
Ivins Erik R.,
Argus Donald F.,
Webb Frank H.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl017546
Subject(s) - geodesy , global positioning system , spherical harmonics , geology , inversion (geology) , satellite , remote sensing , seismology , physics , telecommunications , quantum mechanics , astronomy , computer science , tectonics
Detrended crustal deformation measurements from a global network of up to 200 continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking sites are inverted for low degree and order ( n , m ≤ 6) spherical harmonic series of surface mass variations. An independent geophysical model of the atmosphere, oceans, and water and snow on land is also used to guide the spherical harmonic truncation and to evaluate aliasing errors in the results. Inversion uncertainties decrease significantly as spatial coverage and data quality improve with time, especially in the last few years. Consequently, GPS inverted seasonal geocenter and low degree zonal harmonics converge to those determined by measurements from satellite laser ranging (SLR). Significant n > 1 and non‐zonal variations have also been found.