Static deformations and gravity changes at the Earth's surface due to atmospheric loading

Main Article Content

W. Rabbel
J. Zschau

Abstract

     Deformations and gravity changes at the Earth's surface due to regional and global air pressure variations are estimated for a radially stratified Earth. The results are as follows:
Vertical displacements of seasonal character have maximum amplitudes of ±0.5 cm. (Anti-)Cyclones, however, can cause vertical displacements of up to ±2.5 cm.
Horizontal displacements have amplitudes less than ±2.5 mm.
Horizontal principal strains may have amplitudes up to 10-8. They reduce to about ±1.5⋅10-9 for seasonal changes in the air pressure distribution.
— The total gravity perturbation consisting of the Newtonian attraction of air masses and of self-gravitation due to the elastic deformation may go up to ±20 μgal in the case of (anti-)cyclones, and ±3 μgal in the case of seasonal air pressure changes.
— The total tilt due to seasonal air pressure variations can be as high as ±1.5 mseca. For passing (anti-)cyclones this value may go up to ±10 mseca.
     All the above values have to be modified in the direct vicinity of coastlines. The modification is only slight for the displacements and the secondary gravity effect, but it is important for the other components. There, the necessary modification may amount to several hundred percent depending on the type of deformation component and on the distance to the coastline.


Google Scholar           ARK: https://n2t.net/ark:/88439/y011765


Permalink: https://geophysicsjournal.com/article/150


 

Article Details

How to Cite
Rabbel, W., & Zschau, J. (1984). Static deformations and gravity changes at the Earth’s surface due to atmospheric loading. Journal of Geophysics, 56(1), 81-99. Retrieved from https://journal.geophysicsjournal.com/JofG/article/view/150

References

Alterman, Z., Jarosch, H., Pekeris, C.L. (1961) Propagation of Rayleigh waves in the Earth. Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 4:219-241

Baur, F. (1948) Einfuhrung in die Groswetterkunde. Wiesbaden: Dieterichsche Verlagsbuchhandlung

Committee on Geodesy, National Research Council (1981) Geodetic monitoring of tectonic deformation - toward a strategy. Washington D.C.: National Academy Press

Dziewonski, A.M., Anderson, D.L. (1981) Prelimary reference Earth model. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 25:297-356

Farrell, W.E. (1972) Deformation of the Earth by surface loads. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 10:761-797

Faust H. (1968) Der Aufbau der Erdatmosphare. Braunschweig: Vieweg

Longman, J.M. (1962) A Green's function for determining the deformation of the Earth under surface mass loads. J. Geophys. Res. 67:845-850

Muller, T., Zurn, W. (1983) Observation of gravity changes during the passage of cold fronts. J. Geophys. 53:155-162

Munk, W.H., Macdonald, G.J.F. (1960) The rotation of the Earth. Cambridge University Press

Okubo, S. (1982) Theoretical and observed Q of the Chandler Wobble - Love number approach. Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 71:647

Prothero, W.A., Goodkind, J.M. (1972) Earth-tide measurements with the superconducting gravimeter. J. Geophys. Res. 77:926-936

Scherneck, H.G. (1983) Crustal loading affecting VLBI sites. Department of Geodesy Report No. 20, University ofUppsala

Smith, M.O., Dahlen, F.A. (1981) The period and Q of the Chandler Wobble. Geophys. J. Astron. Soc. 64:223-281

Spratt, R.J. (1982) Modelling of the effect of atmospheric pressure variations on gravity. Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 71:173-186

Stolz, A., Larden, D.R. (1979) Seasonal displacement and deformation of the Earth by the atmosphere. J. Geophys. Res. 84:6185-6194

Thompson, K.R. (1979) Regression models for monthly mean sea level. Marine Geodesy 2:269-290

Trubytsin, A.P., Makalkin, A.V.S. (1976) Deformation of the Earth's Crust due to atmospherical cyclones. lzv. Acad. Sci. USSR, Phys. Solid Earth 12:343-344

Walter, L.S. (1984) Geodynamics. Proceedings of a workshop held at the Airlie House, Airly, Virginia, February 15-18, 1983; NASA Conference Publication 2325

Warburton, J.R., Goodkind, J.M. (1977) The influence of barometric pressure variations on gravity. Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc. 48:281-292

Zschau, J. (1979a) Auflastgezeiten. Habilitation-thesis. University of Kiel

Zschau, J. (1979c) Phase shifts on tidal sea load deformations of the Earth's surface due to low viscosity layers in the interior. Proceed. 8th Intern. Symp. Earth Tides. 372-398, Bonn

Zschau, J. (1979d) Tidal friction in the solid Earth: Loading tides versus body tides. Proceed. 8th Intern. Symp. Earth Tides. 62-94, Bonn

Zschau, J. (1980) The influence of the Earth's viscosity on deformations by marine tidal surface loads. In: Morner, N.-A. (Ed.) Earth Rheology, isostasy and eustasy, pp 161-167. John Wiley and Sons