Studies of Tectonic Motion from Helwan-Satellite Laser Ranging Station

Gamal F. Attia

National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), Cairo, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/ijaa.2014.44055                

Abstract

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is a proven space geodetic technique with significant potential for important contributions to scientific studies of tectonic motion. Currently, SLR is the most accurate available technique to determine the geocentric position with a reported precision in the order of few millimeters. Data gathered through SLR together with “Short Arc” mathematical algorithm became a highly precise tool to detect, monitor and calculate recent crustal movements through repeated measurements of the baselines between some stations on different tectonic plates. In this paper, the Short Arc mathematical model introduced in a previous paper was used to calculate the length of the baseline between Helwan-SLR station and other four fixed SLR stations, placed on different plates. Application of this model with the data gathered through a 4 year time interval gave repeatable results with very high accuracy (in the order of 4 cm).

Keywords

Laser Ranging, Laser Radar, Crustal Movements, Short-Arc, Baselines

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Torsvik, T.H., Müller, R.D., van der Voo, R., Steinberger, B. and Gaina, C. (2008) Global Plate Motion Frames: Toward a Unified Model. Reviews of Geophysics, 46, Article ID: RG3004. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2007RG000227
[2]	Pindell, J.L. and Kennan, L. (2009) Tectonic Evolution of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Northern South America in the Mantle Reference Frame: An Update. In: James, K., Antonieta-Lorente, M. and Pindell, J., Eds., The Geology and Evolution of the Region between North and South America, Geological Society of London, London, 227-242.
[3]	Zerbini, S. (1992) Crustal Motion from Short-Arc Analysis of the LAGEOS Data. In: Smith, D.E. and Turcotte, D.L., Eds., Contributions of Space Geodesy in Geodynamics: Crustal Dynamics, AGU Geodynamics Series, 371-388. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/GD023p0371
[4]	Reilinger, R., McClusky, S., Vernant, P., et al. (2006) GPS Constraints on Continental Deformation in the Africa-Arabia-Eurasia Continental Collision Zone and Implications for the Dynamics of Plate Interactions. Journal of Geophysical Research, 111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2005JB004051
[5]	Attia, G.F., Hegazy, M.A. and Abd El-Hameed, A.M. (2012) The Use of Satellite Laser Observations in Studying the Crustal Movements. NRIAG Journal of Astronomy and Geophysics, 1, 110-113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nrjag.2012.12.006
[6]	Cech, M., Hamal, K., Jelinkova, H., Novotny, A., Prochazka, I., Helali, Y.E. and Tawadros, M.Y. (1998) Upgrading of the Helwan Laser Station (1997-98). Proceedings of the 11th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Deggendorf, 21-25 September 1998, 197.
[7]	Ibrahim, M., Tawadros, M.Y., Helali, Y.E., El-Saftawy, M., Fahim, G. and Hanna, Y.S. (2001) Results of on Site Data Processing after Upgrading of Helwan SLR Station. Bulletin of National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Series A, 1, 51-67.
[8]	Fahim, G. (2003) Improvments of the Accuracy at Helwan Satellite Laser Tracking Station. NRIAG Journal of Astronomy and Geophysics, 2, 47-63.
[9]	Ibrahim, M. (2005) Ranging to New Satellites from Helwan Laser Tracking Station. Journal of the Astronomical Society of Egypt, 13, 52.
[10]	Jelinkova, H. (1984) Mode Locked Train Laser Transmitter. Proceedings of the 5th International Workshop on Laser ranging Instrumentation, Geodetic Institute, Universit?t Bonn, Herstmonceux, 224.
[11]	Ibrahim, M., Abd Elhameed, A.M. and Attia, G.F. (2011) Analytical Studies of Laser Parameters for Ranging and Illuminating Satellites from H-SLR Station. Space Research Journal, 4, 71-78.
[12]	Prochazka, I. (1989) Mode Locked Semitrain Laser Ranging Data Processing Soft Ware. Proceedings of the 7th International Workshop on Laser Ranging Instrumentation, Matera, 2-8 October 1989, 405.
[13]	Dictrch, R. and Genill, G. (1984) Determination of Regional Networks for Geodynamical Studies Based on Satellite Laser Ranging Data. Bulletin of Russian Institute of Astronomy, No. 21, Part 2, 38-49.
[14]	Chapanov, Ya. G. and Tatevian, S.K. (1990) Determination of Long Baselines with a Short-Arc Techniques. Proceedings of the Intercosmos Laser Workshop, Riga, 15-17 March 1990.
[15]	Tatevian, S.R. (1980) Possibilities of Short Arc Techniques for the Estimation of the cords between Two Stations. Scientific Information of the Astronomical Council, 12.
[16]	Saroken, N.A., Abrekosov, O.A. and Marchenko, A.N. (1984) The Use of the Improving Models for the Salellite’s Orbit. Bulletin of Russian institute of Astronomy No. 21, 17-29.