Reconciling GRACE and GPS estimates of long-term load deformation in southern Greenland. Issue 2 (31st October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Song-Yun; Chen, J L; Wilson, Clark R; Li, Jin; Hu, Xiaogong
• Is Part Of: Geophysical journal international. Volume 212:Issue 2(2018:Feb.)
• Page Start: 1302
• Page End: 1313
• Publication Date: 2017-10-31
• Subjects: Global change from geodesy -- Loading of the Earth -- Satellite geodesy -- Satellite gravity -- Space geodetic surveys -- Time variable gravity; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggx473
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-540X

Abstract

Summary: We examine vertical load deformation at four continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) sites in southern Greenland relative to Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) predictions of vertical deformation over the period 2002–2016. With limited spatial resolution, GRACE predictions require adjustment before they can be compared with GPS height time series. Without adjustment, both GRACE spherical harmonic (SH) and mascon solutions predict significant vertical displacement rate differences relative to GPS. We use a scaling factor method to adjust GRACE results, based on a long-term mass rate model derived from GRACE measurements, glacial geography, and ice flow data. Adjusted GRACE estimates show significantly improved agreement with GPS, both in terms of long-term rates and interannual variations. A deceleration of mass loss is observed in southern Greenland since early 2013. The success at reconciling GPS and GRACE observations with a more detailed mass rate model demonstrates the high sensitivity to load distribution in regions surrounding GPS stations. Conversely, the value of GPS observations in constraining mass changes in surrounding regions is also demonstrated. In addition, our results are consistent with recent estimates of GIA uplift (∼4.4 mm yr −1 ) at the KULU site.