Separating Geophysical Signals Using GRACE and High-Resolution Data: A Case Study in Antarctica

To fully exploit data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), we separate geophysical signals observed by GRACE in Antarctica by deriving high-spatial resolution maps for present-day glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) and ice-mass changes with the least possible noise level. For this, we simultaneously (i) improve the...

Improving estimates of water resources in a semi-arid region by assimilating GRACE data into the PCR-GLOBWB hydrological model

An accurate estimation of water resources dynamics is crucial for proper management of both agriculture and the local ecology, particularly in semi-arid regions. Imperfections in model physics, uncertainties in model land parameters and meteorological data, as well as the human impact on land changes often limit the accuracy of hydrological...

A high resolution model of linear trend in mass variations from DMT-2: Added value of accounting for coloured noise in GRACE data

We present a high resolution model of the linear trend in the Earth’s mass variations based on DMT-2 (Delft Mass Transport model, release 2). DMT-2 was produced primarily from K-Band Ranging (KBR) data of the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE). It comprises a time series of monthly solutions complete to spherical harmonic degree 120...

Assessing total water storage and identifying flood events over Tonlé Sap basin in Cambodia using GRACE and MODIS satellite observations combined with hydrological models

In this study, satellite observations including gravity (GRACE), terrestrial reflectance (MODIS), and global precipitation (TRMM) data, along with the output from the PCR-GLOBWB hydrological model, are used to generate monthly and sub-monthly terrestrial water storage (TWS) estimates and quantify flood events over the Tonlé Sap basin between...

An approach for estimating time-variable rates from geodetic time series

There has been considerable research in the literature focused on computing and forecasting sea-level changes in terms of constant trends or rates. The Antarctic ice sheet is one of the main contributors to sea-level change with highly uncertain rates of glacial thinning and accumulation. Geodetic observing systems such as the Gravity Recovery...

Uplift rates from a new high-density GPS network in Palmer Land indicate significant late Holocene ice loss in the southwestern Weddell Sea

The measurement of ongoing ice-mass loss and associated melt water contribution to sea-level change from regions such as West Antarctica is dependent on a combination of remote sensing methods. A key method, the measurement of changes in Earth's gravity via the GRACE satellite mission, requires a potentially large correction to account for the...

Using geodetic measurements to improve estimates of Antarctica's GIA and present-day mass balance

Data assimilation of GRACE terrestrial water storage estimates into a regional hydrological model of the Rhine River basin

Empirical estimation of present-day Antarctic glacial isostatic adjustment and ice mass change

This study explores an approach that simultaneously estimates Antarctic mass balance and glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) through the combination of satellite gravity and altimetry data sets. The results improve upon previous efforts by incorporating a firn densification model to account for firn compaction and surface processes as well as...

Updated Delft mass transport model DMT-2: Computation and validation

ESA's ice sheets CCI: Validation and inter-comparison of surface elevation changes derived

In order to increase the understanding of the changing climate, the European Space Agency has launched the Climate Change Initiative (ESA CCI), a program which joins scientists and space agencies into 13 projects either affecting or affected by the concurrent changes. 5 This work is part of the Ice Sheets CCI and four parameters are to be...

Combining satellite altimetry and gravimetry data to improve Antarctic mass balance and gia estimates

This study explores an approach that simultaneously estimates Antarctic mass balance and glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) through the combination of satellite gravity and altimetry data sets. The results improve upon previous efforts by incorporating reprocessed data sets over a longer period of time, and now include a firn densification model...

Applications of a Networked Array of Small Satellites for Planetary Observation

The goal of this study is to explore those applications which can best utilize a network of orbiting satellites working as a distributed computing array. The satellites are presumed to be low-cost mini- or micro-satellites orbiting Earth or some other celestial body (i.e., an asteroid, moon, etc.), and should have a (near) constant communication...

Comparison of regional and gobal GRACE gravity field models at high latitudes

In this study we address the question of whether regional gravity field modeling techniques of GRACE data can offer improved resolution over traditional global spherical harmonic solutions. Earlier studies into large, equatorial river basins such as the Amazon, Zambezi and others showed no obvious distinction between regional and global...

The design of an optimal filter for monthly GRACE gravity models

A Comparison of Global and Regional GRACE Models for Land Hydrology

When using GRACE as a tool for hydrology, many different gravity field model products are now available to the end user. The traditional spherical harmonics solutions produced from GRACE are typically obtained through an optimization of the gravity field data at the global scale, and are generated by a number of processing centers around the...

Increasing system performance and flexibility: Distributed computing and routing of data within the fast formation flying mission

In 2007, the Tsinghua University, China, and the Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, have agreed to jointly define, develop and operate the Formation for Atmospheric Science and Technology demonstration (FAST) mission. FAST will allow for a synoptic evaluation of global aerosol data and altitude profiles of the cryosphere with two...