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Global Positioning System data collection, processing, and analysis conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program

May 1, 2017

The U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Science Center collects and processes Global Positioning System (GPS) data throughout the western United States to measure crustal deformation related to earthquakes and tectonic processes as part of a long‐term program of research and monitoring. Here, we outline data collection procedures and present the GPS dataset built through repeated temporary deployments since 1992. This dataset consists of observations at ∼1950 locations. In addition, this article details our data processing and analysis procedures, which consist of the following. We process the raw data collected through temporary deployments, in addition to data from continuously operating western U.S. GPS stations operated by multiple agencies, using the GIPSY software package to obtain position time series. Subsequently, we align the positions to a common reference frame, determine the optimal parameters for a temporally correlated noise model, and apply this noise model when carrying out time‐series analysis to derive deformation measures, including constant interseismic velocities, coseismic offsets, and transient postseismic motion.

Publication Year 2017
Title Global Positioning System data collection, processing, and analysis conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program
DOI 10.1785/0220160204
Authors Jessica R. Murray, Jerry L. Svarc
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Seismological Research Letters
Index ID 70192458
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Earthquake Science Center