Gravity, Climate and Quantum

Gravity measurements and geoid determination is a fundamental pillar of geodesy, and despite of roots going back more than two centuries, it is still a very active research field, with satellite and airborne data collection finally making global detailed gravity field coverage and thus a few-cm accuracy geoid within reach, a holy grail of geodesy for decades. Recent years have seen major efforts to cover the most inaccessible areas of the planet with gravity, especially the polar and mountainous areas, thanks to the development of airborne gravity sensors and long-range data campaigns. Parallel with this, climate applications of gravity measurements, both in space and in situ, have made gravity field change measurements more relevant than ever, especially for understanding global sea level rise and the melting of the large icesheets. Ongoing R&D in developing quantum methods for both in-situ, kinematic and space applications further points to new directions and applications for geodetic, geophysical and environmental applications of gravity field data, securing gravity field science key developments in the years to come. The Vening-Meinesz talk will address many recent developments in the above fields, and highlights the new opportunities for the next generation of geodesists.