Continuous observation of periodic and non-periodic variations of the vertical component of gravity by a superconducting gravimeter

Duration: July 1995 - 2003
PI.: B. Meurers, eMail
Coworker: Th.Rudel

 

Abstract:

Within the frame of the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) this project contributes to the solution of geodynamical problems:

  • Earth tides and Nearly diurnal free wobble (NDFW)
    • Determination of tidal parameters (d -factor, phase) for the development of improved ocean loading models
    • Determination of global d -factors of constituents near the NDFW resonance frequency Þ information about the structure of the earth's core
  • Core Modes
    Search for coherent and global gravity signals (by stacking) of
    • gravity oscillations in the outer core (undertones)
    • translational oscillations of the inner core (Slichter-triplet)
  • Air pressure and other meteorological hydrological effects
    Investigation of the direct and indirect (loading) effect of the atmosphere, effect of ground water level variations, precipitation, soil moisture
  • Earth rotation and pole motion effects
  • Gravity variations caused by tectonic processes
    Vertical crustal movement, deformation by active tectonics, postgalcial deformation, sea level changes
  • Free oscillations of the earth
    Observation of the spectrum of spheroidal oscillations excited by high magnitude earthquakes
  • Interpretation of seasonal effects

The GWR C025 Superconducting Gravimeter is operating since August 1995 in Vienna. Absolute gravity measurements will be performed regularly by using the Jilag-6 absolute gravimeter in order to calibrate the GWR C025 and to determine its instrumental drift. Cooperation with Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics ( ZAMG, dept. of Geophysics), Vienna, which owns and maintains the GWR C025 gravimeter, and with the Federal Office of Surveying, Vienna, contributing by absolute gravity measurements (Dr. Ruess).

 

Publications:

1.         Meurers, B., 1998: Gravity monitoring with a superconducting gravimeter in Vienna. In: Ducarme, B., Paquet, P. (eds): Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on Earth Tides. Brussels 1997, 625-634.

2.         Crossley, D., Hinderer, J., Casula, G., Francis, O., Hsu, H.T., Imanishi, Y., Jentzsch, G., Kääriänen, J., Merriam, J., Meurers, B., Neumeyer, J., Richter, B., Shibuya, K., Sato, T., van Dam, T., 1999: Network of Superconducting Gravimeteres Benefits a Number of Disci­plines. EOS, Transactions, AGU, 80, No. 11, 125-126.

3.         Meurers, B., 1999: Air pressure signatures in the SG data of Vienna. In: Ducarme, B., (ed): Pro­ceedings of the Working Group on „Analysis of Environmental Data for the Interpretation of Gravity Measurements'', Jena, 1998. Bulletin d'Informations Mareés Terrestres, 131, 10195-10200.

4.         Meurers, B., 2000: Gravitational effects of atmospheric processes in SG gravity data, In: Ducarme, B. and J. Barthélemy, (eds.) (2000): Proc. Workshop: „High Precision Gravity Measurements with Application to Geo­dynamics and Second GGP Workshop'', Luxembourg, 1999, Conseil de L’Europe, Cahiers du Centre Européen de Géo­dynamique et de Séismologie, 17, 57-65.

5.         Meurers, B., 2001: Superconducting gravimetry in Geophysical research today, Jour. Geod. Soc. Japan, 47, 1, 300-307.

6.         Meurers, B., 2001: Tidal and Non-tidal Gravity Variations in Vienna - a Five Years‘ SG Record, Jour. Geod. Soc. Japan, 47, 1, 392-397.

7.         Mansinha, L., B. Ducarme, J. Hinderer, B. Meurers and M. van Ruymbeke, 2001: Search for the Gravita­tional Absorption Effect Using Superconducting Gravimeters During the Eclipse of August 11, 1999, Jour. Geod. Soc. Japan, 47, 1, 387-391.

8.         Meurers, B., 2002: Aspects of gravimeter calibration by time domain comparison of gravity records. In: Ducarme, B., (ed): Pro­ceedings of the Third Workshop of the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) on Superconducting Gravimetry, Jena, 2002. Bulletin d'Informations Mareés Terrestres, 135, 10643-10650.