Secular changes in rotation and gravity: Evidence of post-glacial rebound or of changes in polar ice?
Abstract
Observed linear trends in the position of the Earth's rotation axis, in the length-of-day, and in the Earth's gravity field have often been interpreted as evidence of post-glacial rebound. These observations have been used, together with dynamical models of the rebound, to provide constraints on the Earth's viscosity profile. We use results from a numerical rebound model to discuss these constraints. We also discuss the possibility that some of the observed secular effects could be due to on-going or recent changes in ice sheet volumes. For Antarctica, we conclude that the effects could easily be as large as, or larger than, the effects of post-glacial rebound.
- Publication:
-
Advances in Space Research
- Pub Date:
- November 1993
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0273-1177(93)90228-4
- Bibcode:
- 1993AdSpR..13k.257W