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Researchers at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology have improved the methodology for assessing post-glacial uplift of Fennoscandia, finding that its land is denser than previously thought and is rising at a rate of up to one centimeter per year.
As Fennoscandia gradually recovers from the Ice Age, it is experiencing significant changes in its gravity field. KTH scientists have developed an advanced measurement technique that integrates satellite gravimetry, terrestrial gravity data and 3D positioning. “Our study is an alternative method for studying this phenomenon,” – notes Mohammad Bagherbandi. Analysis of the data obtained showed that the density of the upper mantle of the region reaches 3,546 kg/m3, which exceeds previous estimates.
The land uplift is caused by “glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA),” the rebalancing of the lithosphere after the melting of glaciers. This process affects gravity, changing its distribution in the region. The GRACE satellite mission has been able to measure these changes in microGalaxies, which is an extremely sensitive indicator.
An important role in the study is played by the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS), which allows tracking movements of the Earth's crust in real time. The results obtained contribute not only to the development of geodesy, but also to the improvement of models for predicting sea level rise. Similar studies are being conducted in North America, where a similar rise in the Earth's surface is observed. The study of these processes is important for assessing long-term changes in global geodynamics and preparing for potential natural disasters.
