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New Earth Movement Data: Researchers Reveal Secrets of Antarctica!
New data on earth surface movement in Antarctica: TU Dresden makes important contributions to climate research and GNSS technology.
New Earth Movement Data: Researchers Reveal Secrets of Antarctica!
Antarctica is at the center of recent scientific discoveries based on careful data analysis. Researcher of the Technical University of Dresden have published a new data set that details the movements of the Earth's surface in Antarctica. This publication was published in the journal *Earth System Science Data* and represents the valuable work of the Geodetic Earth System Research Group.
The data set is based on comprehensive evaluations of measurement data recorded by geodetic GNSS stations in Antarctica. These stations use signals from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), which are analyzed in the post-processing process. Through these analyses, scientists expect to improve our understanding of geophysical processes, including plate movements, earthquake deformation and glacial-isostatic adjustment (GIA).
New insights into glacial-isostatic compensation
The GIA describes the slow deformation of the Earth's crust caused by glacial movements and changes in the Antarctic ice sheet. The data provided are of high spatial and temporal resolution and represent an important basis for climate research, particularly with regard to the prediction of sea level rise. GIA corrections are essential for interpreting satellite data on the mass balance of the Antarctic ice sheet.
The results are based on measurements from all available GNSS stations in Antarctica, collected over a period from 1995 to 2021. This initiative, known as Geodynamics In ANTarctica based on REprocessing GNSS dAta INitiative (GIANT-REGAIN), was led by Dr. Mirko Scheinert and Matt King from the University of Tasmania launched it. The initiative was supported by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and their expert group Geodetic Infrastructure in Antarctica (EG GIANT).
Innovative approaches to monitoring glaciers
In addition to basic data sets, the study of glacier movements is crucial to glaciology. Measurements of ice dynamics and velocity are essential for understanding ice mechanics and flow models. GNSS technology is proving useful here and is increasingly replacing expensive devices with cost-effective alternatives.
Calculations show that high-precision GNSS receivers, which can cost up to $30,000, can be replaced by low-cost GNSS chip devices that are less than 10% of the cost and still provide centimeter-level accuracy. A comparative study analyzed the performance of the u-blox ZED-F9P GNSS receiver tested in a polar environment.
The results of this study, which are in the Journal of Glaciology published show that the low-cost receivers tested can deliver comparable results to the high-priced Trimble R10 systems. Various experiments on Priestley Glacier have achieved millimeter precision suitable for glaciological applications.
These innovative approaches to using GNSS technology could revolutionize the way glacier movements and other geophysical processes in Antarctica are studied. In summary, the new data and technologies enable an improved assessment of the effects of climate change and changes to the earth's surface in this sensitive region.