Monday, September 28, 2009

NGS Participates in International Comparison of Absolute Gravimeters in France

During the week of September 20, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) participated in the Eighth International Comparison of Absolute Gravimeters (ICAG) at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) in Paris, France. Delegations from international organizations came together to bring 24 absolute gravimeters, including NGS’s FG-5, from around the world for comparison to quantify their operational precision relative to other meters. Absolute gravimeters are used for monitoring mass changes within the Earth (e.g., magma intrusions underneath volcanoes), monitoring mass changes within the Earth's upper layers (e.g., variations of continental water storage), and monitoring deformations of the Earth's crust (e.g., tectonic deformations associated with the build up and release of strain during earthquakes). The FG-5 absolute gravimeters are the world’s most accurate gravimeters. For more information, contact David Schmerge.