Use of CORS Time Series for Geodynamics Applications in Western Sicily (Italy)

Abstract

In the last few decades, the use of GNSS Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) networks allowed improving the accuracy of real-time positioning and post-processing positioning. In this way, several applications have been performed including remote sensing, agriculture, cultural heritage and geodynamics studies. The latter have been developed analysing CORS time-series and consistent data over long periods were needed to validate the results. In Italy, specifically in Sicily, two CORS networks were be used to monitor the geodynamics motions: the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) GNSS CORS network in the eastern part and the University of Palermo (UNIPA) GNSS CORS network in the western part. In this research, preliminary results of time series about geodynamics motions of the western part of Sicily have been presented. In particular, the time series of the UNIPA GNSS CORS network have been analyzed over time by using the static positioning, over a period of approximately 5 years. Results showed a linear trend for all CORS time series, according to literature. An innovative methodology, the static Precise Point Positioning (PPP) has been also tested, to determine the time series of one CORS and compare the results with the static solution. The comparison between the two methodologies (static and PPP) demonstrated the capabilities of PPP technique with benefits in terms of costs and time.