Dynamic Earth
Movements of the Earth's crust cause changes in coordinate reference systems. Significant changes in the mass of glaciers and flows in the Earth's mantle have an impact on the global climate, glaciers and sea level. Measuring and understanding these phenomena requires modern measurement techniques and long time series. Nuclear safety, flood protection and the development of urbanisation are examples of changes occuring around us at a local level. Analytics and visualisation of continuous factors of change are important to the understanding of these phenomena.
FGI's key operations include reference systems, measurements, measurement quality control, the development of measurement techniques and studying and modelling the processes of change. Uniform coordinate reference systems, satellite positioning and modern communications technology have made possible the use of spatial data and promoted business activity in the field. As the use of spatial data keeps increasing, it sets ever greater demands on the reliability of the reference frames, updating frequency and accuracy of spatial data and the monitoring of changes in such data as time goes on.
Central themes of this core competency are:
- Spatial data metrology
- The development of the Finnish coordinate reference system, height system and gravity system
- Time management in spatial data systems
- Precise measurements and positioning
- The development of the Metsähovi research station as a part of the international network of fundamental stations
- Changes in land use
- Land uplift, deformation of the Earth's crust and deformation models
- Sea level changes
- Measuring the Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) and their temporal variation
- Temporal and spatial changes of gravity
- The environment and related security applications
- National laser scanning and related technology
- Map updating
- Satellite, aerial photography and laser scanning time series and change detection and interpretation
- Connecting 4D measurements to climate research