SEASONAL DISPLACEMENT AND DEFORMATION OF THE EARTH BY THE ATMOSPHERE

Mass transport on the surface impart a space motion to the earth. The shift induced by seasonal atmospheric pressure variations is calculated. The magnitude of the displacement is approximately 1.6 cos ((sun - 9o)) mm where (sun) is the sun's longitude measured from the beginning of the year. The motion is thus too small to be detected at present. Deformations of a model earth caused by atmospheric loading are estimated. The seasonal distortions over parts of Asia and Greenland approach the 1cm measuring goal of the new laser ranging techniques and exceed it over the Antarctic continent. They are not generally significant in other parts of the globe. The results are depicted in contour form on world maps for each of the four seasons. -AuthorsEnglish