Separating climate-induced mass transfers and instrumental effects from tectonic signal in repeated absolute gravity measurements

What is it about?

We estimate the signature of the climate-induced mass transfers in repeated absolute gravity measurements based on satellite gravimetric measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission. We show results at the globe scale and compare them with repeated absolute gravity (AG) time behavior in three zones where AG surveys have been published: Northwestern Europe, Canada, and Tibet.

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Why is it important?

Performing high precision gravity measurements requires getting rid of hydrogeological effects, as ground water influences gravity at the level of a few billionths of g. The hydrogeological effects can mask tectonic influences, and must be considered carefully, as well as possible instrumental artefacts.