Crustal Motion Measurement Instruments

Measurement Definition: Changes in time of the position and height of the Earth’s plates. Indicative of the lithosphere dynamics, thus useful for earthquake prediction - Physical unit: [ mm/y ] - Accuracy unit: [ mm/y ].
InstrumentStatus/
Accuracy
Instrument DescriptionMeasurement TechnologyTimeline
LCCRA (LARES)OperationalAccuracy measurements on Lense-Thirring effect and baseline tracking data for General Relativity study and precision geodesy. Also for calibration of radar altimeter bias.n/a
LCCRA (LARES-2)OperationalAccuracy measurements on Lense-Thirring effect and baseline tracking data for General Relativity study and precision geodesy. Also for calibration of radar altimeter bias. Retro-reflectors are smaller (about 1 inch in diameter) than those mounted onboard LARES-1 and their number is much greater (about 300).n/a
LRA (LAGEOS)OperationalBaseline tracking data for precision geodesy. Also for calibration of radar altimeter bias. Several types used on various missions.n/a
PALSAR-2OperationalDisaster monitoring, land monitoring, agricultural monitoring, natural resource exploration, global forest monitoring, potential use and interferometry.n/a
L-band SARBeing developedL-band SAR instrument offering full polarimetry, high spatial resolution, high sensitivity, low ambiguity ratios and capability for repeat-pass & single-pass cross-track interferometry to measure surface deformation of vegetated terrain, soil moisture, land cover classification, crop type discrimination and its temporal analysis. Furthermore, it will monitor Polar ice sheets and ice caps, and the sea-ice conditions (i.e. type, drift, deformation, concentration, lead fraction), as well as contribute to the European maritime situational awareness.n/a
PALSAR-3Being developedDisaster monitoring, land monitoring, agricultural monitoring, natural resource exploration, global forest monitoring, potential use and interferometry.n/a
LTIApprovedThe aim of MAGIC is to obtain high-resolution measurements in space and time and include the capability to determine the variations in gravity field due to mass change in hydrology, cryosphere, oceanography, solid Earth and climate change signals so as to serve science and operational products including emergency services.n/a
Multiview Thermal-InfaredApprovedObservations of motion occurring at or near Earth’s surface.n/a
Passive Synthetic Aperture RadarApprovedHigh-resolution observations of motion occurring at or near Earth’s surface. Record radio waves originating from the accompanying Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite as they bounce back from the Earth’s surface, allowing scientists to measure small shifts in the shape of the land surface, such as those related to earthquakes and volcanic activity, as well as of land ice and sea ice.n/a