Temporal gravity changes related to geodynamic phenomena and geomechanical processes

Abstract

My Thesis is based on five papers dealing with gravity changes related to various geodynamic, geomechanical and hydrological processes and phenomena. In the first part of the Thesis the gravity changes are defined as a geophysical quantity. The two principal causative parameters are highlighted - variation in elevation of the earth surface, and temporal excess of mass (negative or positive) in the subsurface. I also discuss different groups of parameters and environmental phenomena disturbing the gravity measurements, as the data accuracy is an essential condition of gravity monitoring (4D gravity). I performed a special test with the LaCoste&Romberg D-188 gravimeter in a pressure chamber with notable result showing negligible impact of small and medium size air-pressure variations on this instrument. The calibration stability was proved during two world comparison/calibration campaigns of absolute and relative gravimeters in Sevres, France. The instrument's repeatability was evaluated as 2 μGal (0.02 μm/s 2 ). As well, calibration is being controlled by measurements on the Czech latitude calibration line between Prague and Dolní Dvořiště in South Bohemia. In order to achieve best accuracy we developed special software Drift to control the gravimeter's drift. In principle the software provides a...

My Thesis is based on five papers dealing with gravity changes related to various geodynamic, geomechanical and hydrological processes and phenomena. In the first part of the Thesis the gravity changes are defined as a geophysical quantity. The two principal causative parameters are highlighted - variation in elevation of the earth surface, and temporal excess of mass (negative or positive) in the subsurface. I also discuss different groups of parameters and environmental phenomena disturbing the gravity measurements, as the data accuracy is an essential condition of gravity monitoring (4D gravity). I performed a special test with the LaCoste&Romberg D-188 gravimeter in a pressure chamber with notable result showing negligible impact of small and medium size air-pressure variations on this instrument. The calibration stability was proved during two world comparison/calibration campaigns of absolute and relative gravimeters in Sevres, France. The instrument's repeatability was evaluated as 2 μGal (0.02 μm/s 2 ). As well, calibration is being controlled by measurements on the Czech latitude calibration line between Prague and Dolní Dvořiště in South Bohemia. In order to achieve best accuracy we developed special software Drift to control the gravimeter's drift. In principle the software provides a...