An Accuracy Assessment of Absolute Gravimetric Observations in Fennoscandia

We compare a suite of absolute gravimeters used to monitor the temporal changes of gravity at a number of sites in Fennoscandia. Direct comparisons are made from simultaneous observations at selected sites within and outside of the postglacial uplift region. We also compare results at sites visited by two instruments with some separation in time. We conclude from four years of data that gravity differences are obtained within an rms error of ± 3 Gal. The data reveal no systematic biases between the instruments, but occasional shifts from one year to another are noted. We consider that annual instrument comparisons are required to ensure data integrity in a regional observing program that extends over more than a decade

Observing Fennoscandian Gravity Change by Absolute Gravimetry

The Nordic countries Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland are a key study region for the research of glacial isostasy, and, in addition, it offers a unique opportunity for validating and testing the results of the GRACE experiment. Over a period of five years, the expected life time of GRACE, a temporal geoid variation of 3.0 mm is expected in the centre of the Fennoscandian land uplift area, corresponding to a gravity change of about 100 nm/s2. This is expected to be within the detection capabilities of GRACE. With terrestrial absolute gravimetry, the gravity change due to the land uplift can be observed with an accuracy of \ub110 to 20 nm/s2 for a 5-year period. Thus, the terrestrial insitu observations (ground-truth) may be used to validate and test the GRACE results.Since 2003, absolute gravity measurements have been performed in Fennoscandia at about 30 stations covering Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Four groups with FG5 absolute gravimeters (BKG, FGI, IfE, UMB) are engaged to survey the uplift network annually by a mutually controlled procedure. Nearly all absolute stations are colocated with permanent GPS stations. From the 2003 and 2004 comparisons between the instruments, an overall accuracy of \ub130 nm/s2 is indicated for a single absolute gravimeter and a single station determination. This is in full agreement with the project goal

Observing Fennoscandian Gravity Change by Absolute Gravimetry

The Nordic countries Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland are a key study region for the research of glacial isostasy, and, in addition, it offers a unique opportunity for validating and testing the results of the GRACE experiment. Over a period of five years, the expected life time of GRACE, a temporal geoid variation of 3.0 mm is expected in the centre of the Fennoscandian land uplift area, corresponding to a gravity change of about 100 nm/s2. This is expected to be within the detection capabilities of GRACE. With terrestrial absolute gravimetry, the gravity change due to the land uplift can be observed with an accuracy of \ub110 to 20 nm/s2 for a 5-year period. Thus, the terrestrial insitu observations (ground-truth) may be used to validate and test the GRACE results.Since 2003, absolute gravity measurements have been performed in Fennoscandia at about 30 stations covering Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Four groups with FG5 absolute gravimeters (BKG, FGI, IfE, UMB) are engaged to survey the uplift network annually by a mutually controlled procedure. Nearly all absolute stations are colocated with permanent GPS stations. From the 2003 and 2004 comparisons between the instruments, an overall accuracy of \ub130 nm/s2 is indicated for a single absolute gravimeter and a single station determination. This is in full agreement with the project goal