Precise Gravity Time Series and Instrumental Properties from Combination of Superconducting and Absolute Gravity Measurements

Abstract

Precise monitoring and a conclusive interpretation of temporal gravity variations at a given station is based upon accurate knowledge about the properties of the used instruments. Only the combination of concurrent sets of superconducting and absolute gravity measurements allow both. Whereas absolute gravimeters provide the scale and reference level, superconducting gravimeters enable to determine gravity variations with high sensitivity and temporal resolution. A method is proposed here to derive the scale factor and zero drift function of the superconducting gravimeter as well as a reliable survey of the instrumental stability of absolute meters with high precision without the need of gravity reductions. In this way it is possible to separate between geophysical signals and instrumental effects in the time series. Results for the stations Bad Homburg, Wettzell in Germany are presented, demonstrating the potential of the technique. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009.