WEGENER

Terms of reference The evolution of geodetic techniques in the past decade, with unprecedented achievements in the precise detection and monitoring of 3D movements at the millimeter level has opened new prospects for the study of Earth kinematics and hence dynamics. However, those achievements also raised new issues that have to be properly taken into account in the processing and analysis of the data, demanding a careful inter-disciplinary approach. Areas in Europe, primarily in the broad collision zone between Europe, Africa and Arabia, provide natural laboratories to study crucial and poorly understood geodynamic processes. These have been systematically monitored in the last decade by different research groups using a variety of space geodetic and other techniques. However, in general data analysis has been done from the perspective of one discipline and processing procedures have not always followed a standard approach. The existence of these geodata, never completely explored, justifies a new insight by using a really integrated approach that combines data from different observational techniques and input from other disciplines in the Earth Sciences. This should lead to the development of interdisciplinary work in the integration of space and terrestrial techniques for the study of the Eurasian/African/Arabian plate boundary deformation zone, and adjacent areas, and contribute to the establishment of a European Velocity Field. With that purpose it is important to promote stronger international cooperation between Earth-Scientists interested in the study of that plate boundary zone. Towards that goal the WEGENER project aims to: • Actively encourage the cooperation of all geoscientists Eurasian/African/Arabian plate boundary deformation zone, by promoting the exploitation of synergies; • Be a reference group for the integration of the most advanced geodetic and geophysical techniques by developing the adequate methodologies for a correct data integration and interpretation; • Act as a forum for discussion and scientific support for geoscientists from all over the world interested in unravelling the kinematics and mechanics of the Eurasian/African/Arabian plate boundary deformation zone; • Promote the use of standard procedures for geodetic data, in particular GPS data, quality evaluation and processing. The need to involve different research areas demands for collaboration with different IAG Commissions and in particular with Commission 1 and Commission 3. Commission 1 is responsible for regional and global reference frames, for the coordination of space techniques and for satellite dynamics. WEGENER can contribute significantly to each one of these areas and, in particular, to regional and global reference frames by making available, in its study area, quality-tested regional data sets acquired with different space and terrestrial techniques, as well as relevant quality-tested solutions. Additionally WEGENER can contribute by carrying out studies, already being developed by WEGENER member groups, on the definition of effective integrated observational strategies. Commission 3, is responsible for earth rotation and geodynamics. WEGENER will provide its main contribution in the field of geodynamics by studying, regionally, both short and long-term crustal motions. Objectives The primary goals of the WEGENER project are: • Continue as a framework for geodetic/geophysical/geological cooperation in the study of the Eurasian/African/Arabian plate boundary zone; • Foster the use of space-borne, airborne and terrestrial hybrid techniques for earth observation; • Define effective integrated observational strategies for these techniques to reliably identify and monitor crustal movements and gravity field variations over all time-scales; • Facilitate and stimulate the integrated exploitation of data from different techniques in the analysis and interpretation of geoprocesses; • Organize periodic meetings...