Detection of unsymmetrical global tectonic change by using space geodetic data

Abstract

The global tectonic change deduced from geophysical research was first identified by space geodetic data from VLBI, GPS and SLR measurements. Whether using geodesic rates or using vertical velocities of stations, three kinds of data and their integration give consistent results: within the mid-latitude belt on the Northern Hemisphere there may be about 8–10 mm/a contracting change; within the mid-latitude belt on the Southern Hemisphere there may be about 12–14 mm/a expanding change. This result not only validates the reverse global tectonic change in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres of the Earth, but also gives relatively precise quantative estimations.