The Blue Road Geotraverse: Studies of short-period crustal dynamics, using continuously recording instruments

Abstract

Abstract Short-period crustal dynamics concern the spectrum of processes between long-period seismic waves and those long-period processes which can be surveyed by repeated geodetic measurements. The instruments used are recording gravity meters, tiltmeters, and strain-meters. These instruments have conventionally been used for earth tidal research on a global scale. The gradual increase of sensitivity and resolution, however, has caused disturbances like oceanic tides, individual tidal movements of lithospheric blocks, stress accumulation, crustal loading by atmospheric pressure changes, precipitation, and tectonic processes to become a main problem. On the other hand, these “dirty effects” are an important source of information on the structure and dynamics of the lithosphere. In order to obtain this kind of information, a network of geodynamic stations is planned along the Blue Road Geotraverse, in addition to further interdisciplinary research.