Compression of the North Hemisphere derived from space geodesy

The convergent and divergent velocities of active plate boundaries in the North Hemisphere are obtained with space geodetic data. The relative motions of adjacent plates in north-south direction are almost convergent; the spreading rates of the north mid-Atlantic ridge are smaller than the south mid-Atlantic ridge; the closed differences of the baseline length rates between stations on different plates along the latitudinal circle of 7.7, 23.3? 34.8? 42.0?and 51.0?are all negative. All these show that the North Hemisphere is a compressive hemisphere.

A New Independent GPS-Free System for Geo-Referencing from Space

A new system’s geo-referencing from space is entirely free from any GNSS (GPS or equivalent) systems. The system addresses to various strategic and economic applications such as in remote clock synchronism, aircraft and balloon navigation, missile and smart bombs tracking, satellite orbital determination and remote target geo-positioning. The new geometry concept corresponds to an “inverted GPS” configuration, utilizing four ground-based reference stations, synchronized in time, installed at well known geodesic coordinates and a repeater in space, carried by an aircraft, balloon, satellite, etc. Signal transmitted by one of the reference bases is retransmitted by the transponder, received back by the four bases, producing four ranging measurements which are corrected for the time delays undergone in every retransmission. A minimization function was derived to compare the repeater’s positions referred to at least two groups of three reference bases, to correct for the signal transit time at the repeater and propagation delays, and consequently to provide the accurate repeater position for each time interaction. Once the repeater’s coordinates are known, the other determinations and applications become straightforward. The system solving algorithm and process performance has been demonstrated by simulations adopting a practical example with the transponder carried by an aircraft moving over bases and a target on the ground. Effects produced by reference clock synchronism uncertainties at the four bases on the measurements are reviewed.

Rapid rupture characterization for the 2023 M_(S)6.2 Jishishan earthquake

On December 18, 2023, the M_(S)6.2 Jishishan earthquake occurred in the northeastern region of the QinghaiXizang Plateau, causing heavy casualties and property damage in Gansu and Qinghai Provinces. In this study,we integrate space imaging geodesy, finite fault inversion, and back-projection methods to decipher its rupture property, including fault geometry, coseismic slip distribution, rupture direction, and propagation speed. The results reveal that the seismogenic fault dips to the southwest at an angle of 29°. The major slip asperity is dominated by reverse slip and is concentrated within a depth range of 7–16 km, which explains the significant uplift near the epicenter observed by both the Sentinel-1 ascending and descending In SAR data. Moreover, the teleseismic array waveforms indicate a northwest propagating rupture with an overall slow rupture velocity of~1.91 km/s(AK array) or 1.01 km/s(AU array).

The newest observational evidence on asymmetrical deformation of the Earth

Based on the coordinates, velocities and their error estimations of 595 GPS, SLR and VLBI stations issued by IERS in March 2001, the current asymmetrical deformation of the Earth is studied. The results show that the northern hemisphere of the Earth is undergoing compressive deformation, and the southern hemisphere is undergoing extensional deformation with the equator as the boundary. If the longitude line of 90°E and 90°W is taken as the boundary, the Pacific hemisphere (with 180° as its central longitude) is undergoing compressive deformation, and the Atlantic hemisphere (with 0° as its central longitude) is undergoing extensional deformation. The deformation patterns indicate again that the Earth is undergoing some dual-asymmetrical deformation. Moreover, taking 6 366.740 km as the standard mean curvature radius of the Earth, the velocity of volume change calculated from the data of space geodesy is 6.65x10-(11)m3/a.

Static loading and vertical displacement at southern Siberia

Seismic method is usually used for elastic parametric estimation. This is why this method presents dynamic parameters of Earth. Frequency seismic range changes greatly from geodynamic modelling time. Now we have opportunity to use geodesy result for some years for elastic parameters estimation. Static solution from elastic theory may be used for the interpretation of long term results. It presents static elastic parameter. The inverse problem for different types of vertical surface loading on one year period is calculated. Two cases of loading with maximal and minimal area are presented. Results are determined by space geodesy and leveling methods. Current relation between atmospheric pressure and vertical displacements was estimated at the center of Siberian Anti Cyclone with size varied from 2000 km to 3000 kin. Pressure-displacement coefficients （PDC） can be achieved by three years obser- vation （0.997 mm/mbar for NVSK GPS station）. It is used for elastic module study of geology medium with maximum thickness up to 600 km. In the context of elastic model, the modulus of rigidity is estimated to be 113 GPa. Vast expanse of anti-cyclone may relate with rheology of crust and upper mantle. Smaller size of surface loading - local loading is seasonal variation of water reservoir. Annual vertical changes were obtained by leveling near the dam of the reservoir. PDC ratio was 1.15 mm/bar for these places. In elastic theory, the Young modulus E = 80 GPa （Poisson ratio = 0.25, the modulus of rigidity - 32 GPa） was calculated by sixteen years of leveling measurements. This result can effectively be represented for upper crust. Our results were checked by solution for coseismic displacement of Chyia- Altai earthquake （Sep. 27, 2003, M = 7.3）. Coseismic results calculated by static modules agree with experimental coseismic GPS data at 10% level.

Gravity observation at continental borderlands (Russia, Primorie, Cape Shults)

The paper is focused on different kinds of gravity results obtained in Shults Cape Observatory for 2010 -2015. Gravity observation is interpreted together with GPS observation data which was obtained from 2012 to 2015 at the same station, The station is situated on Gamov peninsular （42.58° N, 131.15° E, Russia） at the coast of Japan Sea, This region constitutes the eastern boundary of Eurasia. This major continental tectonic feature is associated with a seismic activity, high heat flow and anomalous thickness of earth＇s crust. The goal of the observation was the investigation of gravity variation with time and seismicity situation monitoring. Gravity observation was developed at special basement by absolute gravimeter （GABL type） and by spring gravimeter （SCINREX CG-5and gPhone type）. Tidal models were tested by results of observation with spring gravimeters. Reduction task was solved, as the experimental data received from different points of Shults Cape Observatory was used. Applied reduction coefficient is 203.3 12Gal m l, and agrees with theoretical calculation. Next goal was studying structure of earth＇s crust by means of gravity models. Gravity anomaly varied from 30 mGal to 46 mGal, which also depend on difference reference system, Experimental results were used for testing of the structure of continental boundary, which also depends on the sea bottom flexion. Thickness of elastic layer was estimated from 12 km to 18 km by using different models.