CyGOS: A Permanent GEO GSNL Supersite for EO-driven Multi-Hazard Monitoring in the Eastern Mediterranean

The Eastern Mediterranean is characterized by a complex geodynamic regime associated with the interaction between the Eurasian and African plates, giving rise to significant seismicity, active faulting, tectonic uplift, landslides, rockfalls, and subsidence processes. Cyprus, located at the transition from oceanic subduction to continental collision, represents a unique natural laboratory for investigating these processes and their societal impacts. To address long-standing gaps in geodetic and Earth Observation (EO)–based hazard monitoring in the region, the Cyprus Geohazard Observatory Supersite (CyGOS) has been established in 2025 as a Permanent Supersite within the GEO Geohazard Supersites and Natural Laboratories (GSNL) framework.

CyGOS builds upon the CyCLOPS strategic research infrastructure, integrating dense networks of Tier-1 GNSS permanent stations co-located with meteorological sensors, tiltmeters, and calibration-grade InSAR corner reflectors, together with multi-mission SAR data provided through Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) support. The Supersite provides a coordinated framework for the acquisition, calibration, and integration of EO and in-situ data to deliver high-resolution ground deformation products relevant to seismic hazard assessment, landslide monitoring, subsidence detection, and long-term tectonic strain analysis.

CyGOS already contributes to and interoperates with regional and global research infrastructures and services, including the European Plate Observing System (EPOS) TCS-GNSS, the EUREF Permanent Network (EPN), and the European Ground Motion Service (EGMS). GNSS time series and velocity solutions from CyGOS are provided to EPOS and EPN, supporting reference-frame densification and long-term deformation monitoring in a tectonically active region where high-quality geodetic constraints remain sparse. In parallel, GNSS-calibrated InSAR products and nationwide velocity fields are developed to enhance the interpretation, validation, and regional relevance of EGMS products, particularly in areas affected by rapid or highly localized deformation.

Beyond its current contributions, CyGOS aims to further strengthen its role within European and global initiatives by (i) delivering a validated national ground motion service for Cyprus that is fully interoperable with EGMS, (ii) providing calibration and validation datasets for multi-mission SAR time series through its permanent and mobile corner reflector infrastructure, including potential contributions to the CEOS Working Group on Calibration and Validation (WGCV–SAR), and (iii) enabling cross-domain integration of geodetic, seismic, geological, and environmental datasets. These objectives are designed to support comparative studies across GSNL Supersites, improve the robustness of EO-based hazard products, and facilitate methodological benchmarking and reproducible research. All datasets and derived products are disseminated to the scientific community following FAIR principles, fostering open collaboration, reuse, and innovation in EO-based natural hazard research.

This contribution introduces the CyGOS Supersite concept, infrastructure, and initial activities, and discusses its role within the GSNL, CEOS and EPOS frameworks as a regional hub linking EO-based geohazard monitoring with European and global initiatives.