TAMDEF: GPS Measurements of Rock and Ice Motions in Antarctica

The Transantarctic Mountains Deformation Network consists of 25 primary GPS sites in South Victoria Land and the Ross Sea. Ohio State University and the USGS Antarctic Mapping group installed and surveyed the array between 1996 and 2001. The project used specialized equipment and multi-day data sets to measure ground motion.

Use Cases

• Model tectonic deformation based on GPS measurements of bedrock motion.
• Analyze glacial isostatic adjustment based on GPS measurements of ice motion.
• Study local periglacial processes based on micro-footprint arrays around primary sites.
• Assess seasonal fluctuations in monument positions based on annual measurements.
• Validate geodetic data processing techniques based on described field methods.

Strengths

• 25 primary GPS sites provide a network for deformation analysis.
• Data collection spanned a 4-year period, allowing for temporal analysis.
• Specialized choke-ring antennae and forced-centered mounts were used to reduce signal interference and ensure accuracy.
• Micro-footprint arrays with at least 3 monuments per site were installed to isolate local effects.

Limitations

• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Ohio State University and USGS Antarctic Mapping group

Collection Method

Installation and surveying of a GPS network using steel pin monuments and fixed-height mounts.

Time Range

1996-2001

Geography

Transantarctic Mountains of southern Victoria Land and islands in the Ross Sea, Antarctica