Snow load effect on the earth's rotation and gravitational field, 1979-1985.

Abstract

A global, monthly snow depth data set has been generated from the Nimbus 7 satellite observations using passive microwave remote-sensing techniques. This paper analyzes 7 years of data, 1979-1985, to compute the snow load effects on the earth's rotation and low-degree zonal gravitational field. A uniform sea level decrease has been assumed in order to conserve water mass. The resultant time series show dominant seasonal cycles. -from Authors