Temporal variation of tidal parameters in superconducting gravimeter time-series

Author(s)
Bruno Meurers, Michel van Camp, Olivier Francis, Vojtech Palinkas
Abstract

Analysing independent 1-yr data sets of 10European superconducting gravimeters (SG) reveals statistically significant temporal variations of M2 tidal parameters. Both common short-term (<2 yr) and long-term (>2 yr) features are identified in all SG time-series but one. The averaged variations of the amplitude factor are about 0.2. The path of load vector variations equivalent to the temporal changes of tidal parameters suggests the presence of an 8.85 yr modulation (lunar perigee). The tidal waves having the potential to modulate M2 with this period belong to the 3rd degree constituents. Their amplitude factors turn out to be muchcloser to body tide model predictions than that of the main 2nd degree M2, which indicates ocean loading for 3rd degree waves to be less prominent than for 2nd degree waves within the M2 group. These two different responses to the loading suggest that the observed modulation is more due to insufficient frequency resolution of limited time-series rather than to time variable loading. Presently, SG gravity time-series are still too short to prove if time variable loading processes are involved too as in case of the annual M2 modulation known to appear for analysis intervals of less than 1 yr. Whatever the variations are caused by, they provide the upper accuracy limit for earth model validation and permit estimating the temporal stability of SG scale factors and assessing the quality of gravity time-series.

Organisation(s)
Department of Meteorology and Geophysics
External organisation(s)
Royal Observatory of Belgium, University of Luxembourg, Research Institute of Geodesy, Topography and Cartography, Geodetic Observatory Pecný
Journal
Geophysical Journal International
Volume
205
Pages
284-300
No. of pages
17
ISSN
0956-540X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggw017
Publication date
04-2016
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105115 Magnetics, 105106 Geodynamics, 105111 Gravimetry, 105102 General geophysics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Geochemistry and Petrology, Geophysics
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/da4d426e-ca6b-483f-a33c-cc573a18ea65