Large scale surface loading signals from a GRACE, GPS and OBP combination
The movement of large masses, originating from hydrological and oceanographic variations, causes detectable variations in gravity and surface deformation. These may be detected by satellite gravimetry and a network of permanent GPS stations respectively. Alternatively, additional information on ocean bottom pressure variations may be retrieved from simulations. Within the JIGOG project (Surface mass redistribution from joint inversion of GPS site displacements, ocean bottom pressure models and GRACE global gravity models), we combine the above data sources (GRACE, GPS and OBP) in order to retrieve improved surface loading estimates. This combination has the advantage that, for example, geocenter motion can be retrieved. Furthermore, the joint inversion also allows to mitigate datagaps to a certain extent. In this study, we provide a brief overview of the methodology and results of the JIGOG project. We discuss the estimated geocenter motion and focus on the use of GPS/OBP combinations in the event of missing GRACE data. New simulation runs from the updated FESOM model are included in the discussion.