Item

Abstract

Geodetic observables as, e.g., changes in the Earth's rotation, its shape and its gravity field, usually reflect the integral effect of various dynamical processes in the Earth's system associated with mass redistributions within and mass exchanges among atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, continental hydrosphere and the underlying solid Earth. The reliable interpretation and utilization of such measurements therefore require model concepts representing the relevant dynamics in the sub-systems involved as well as consistent energy, mass and momentum fluxes across the sub-system boundaries. A modular Earth system model aspiring these requirements will be introduced which is currently being developed at GFZ Potsdam. By means of two examples, i.e., temporal changes of the global gravity field as observed by the GRACE mission and variations of the Earth's rotation as monitored by VLBI, it will be exemplarily demonstrated how individual effects like ocean bottom pressure anomalies, hydrologic mass re-distribution, continental ice-mass changes and post-glacial rebound are identified in the data and separated with the help of appropriate components of the modular modelling approach in order to provide additional information about the current state of the Earth and its recent changes.