Reading of Graphs And Maps Of GPS (Global Positioning System)

We will use Global Positioning System (GPS) data to discover how the lithospheric
plates move. The GPS uses a number of satellites that work together to transmit
information that can determine an object’s location, speed, and direction at a given
time. An example of a station is WES2 in Westport, Massachusetts.

** Data from GPS satellites will help to find out if the positions of plates have

changed over time.

** The following map shows measurements of movements at GPS recording stations

in North America.

** Each station has a four-character symbol

1- Arrows show the rate and direction of motion of Earth’s surface at that
station
2- Longer arrows indicate faster motion than shorter arrows.
3- The motions shown are relative to the GPS frame of reference ,which you
can think of as being“ attached” to Earth’s axis of rotation .

** Example from the map : * Station BRMU is moving in Northwest direction.

* Station CASA is moving faster than station BRMU.

2- A GPS time series: - It is a series of measurements of the location and elevation

of a GPS station over time.

** The graphs below show the GPS time series for the WES2 station.

* The long solid slanted lines that go from left to right on the three graphs represent

the “best-fit” lines through all of the data points.

* The slope of the line can be also used to determine the change in position per year.

* The measurements were made only at certain times, and the data points on the

time series are discrete, not continues.

** Reading of the graphs of GPS:-

1- This graph shows movement of the station to the north or south.

* Northward movement is indicated by positive values and southward movement is

indicated by negative values.

* So we can determine In which direction did it move.

* This station has moved at speed of 2.5 ± 0.3 mm/yr north.

(We can convert this value to centimeters per year).

2- This graph shows movement to the east or west.

** Eastward movement is indicated by positive values and westward movement is

indicated by negative values.

* The station has moved at a speed of 14.8 ± 0.3 mm/yr west.

* The plate moved 14.8 ± 0.3 mm/yr westward.

3- This graph shows the movement up or down.

* The elevation of station during the recording period has increased.

Notice:-

** The vertical lines above and below each point on the graph are called “error bars”

and they indicate the margin of error for each measurement.

** These stations show a little over 5 years of data.