IAG WG SC1.3 on Regional Dense Velocity Fields: First Results and Steps Ahead

The Working Group on “Regional Dense Velocity Fields” (see http://epncb.oma.be/IAG) of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) aims at densifying the International Terrestrial Reference Frame and creating a dense velocity field based on regional and global GNSS networks. With the goal to generate a high-quality solution for a core network, several newly reprocessed global and regional cumulative position and velocity solutions were submitted to the Working Group. In order to find a consensus on discontinuity epochs for stations common to several networks (an issue which was problematic in previous submissions), the new submissions were restricted to contain only the core networks over which the analyst has full control so that ITRF2008 discontinuities could be applied. The 3D-RMS of the agreement of the new solutions with the ITRF2008 (after outlier rejection) varies between 0.6 and 1.1mm/year; it is extremely good for some solutions, while others still require more iteration to reach the required level of agreement. A part of these disagreements has been identified and often originates in the use of different data time spans within the ITRF2008 and submitted solution.