Recent JPL Advances in Modeling and Observing Natural-Hazards-Generated Ionospheric Perturbations Using GNSS Measurements

Natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, have been significant threats to humans throughout recorded history. GNSS satellites have become primary sensors to measure signatures associated with such natural hazards. These signatures typically include GNSS-derived seismic deformation measurements, co-seismic vertical displacements, and real-time GNSS-derived ocean buoy positioning estimates. Another way to use GNSS observables is to compute the ionospheric total electron content to measure and monitor post-seismic ionospheric disturbances caused by tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

We show recent progress in observing and detecting of natural hazards generated ionospheric signatures using GNSS measurements. We extended the Wave Perturbation - Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere Model (WP-GITM) that was originally developed for tsunami-ionosphere coupling via gravity waves, to the case of ionosphere coupling via acoustic-gravity waves. By studying the propagation properties of ionospheric perturbations generated by natural hazards along with applying WP-GITM, we are on track in implementing real-time detection of natural hazards that can potentially save human lives and minimize property damage in the affected regions.