Artefacts in gravity field modelling

Abstract

Artefacts in applications of the global gravity field and topographic models based on satellite and terrestrial data of diverse kinds are studied. Various types of artefacts are presented and analysed with the aim to understand how the artefacts originated, how to reduce them (if feasible) and to avoid misinterpretations in geoscience. We work with the gravity aspects (gravity anomalies, the Marussi tensor of the second derivatives of disturbing potential, gravity invariants and their specific ratio, strike angles, and virtual deformations), and with surface or bedrock topography. Examples for the Earth, the Moon, and Mars are presented.