We propose to expand CWU s real-time gnss analysis center to process all publically available, gobally-distributed, continuously operating, high-sample rate, real-time telemetered gnss receivers for…

This $667,854 federal grant award to Central Washington University (CWU) will expand the university's existing real-time GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) analysis center. CWU will refactor and scale its system to process real-time precise point positioning (PPP) data from thousands of GNSS receivers globally, providing continuous monitoring capabilities for natural hazards like earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides. The goal is to deliver these real-time deformation data products to support hazards monitoring and mitigation efforts by agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and NOAA. The proposed work directly aligns with priorities identified in National Academies and NASA strategic planning for Earth observation from space. This grant does not have a set-aside designation and runs through September 2024.

We propose to expand CWU s real-time gnss analysis center to process all publically available, gobally-distributed, continuously operating, high-sample rate, real-time telemetered gnss receivers for earthquake, tsunami and other natural hazards mitigation. These receivers straddle active crustal faults and subduction zones, volcanoes, landslides, heavy-civil infrastructure, metropolitan regions, and many other targets. For earthquakes and tsunamis, positions computed in real-time offer instant quantification of coseismic deformation, and moment magnitude. Where station density allows, real-time positions can also quantify finite faulting as slip unfolds. This can be particularly valuable during extended, complex rupture that may last minutes and jump multiple faults, for which traditional seismic point-source centroids fail to accurately characterize either slip or societal impact. We propose to expand the CWU readi analysis center created under NASA award ESI-NNXLOAD15G, which, since 2016, has enabled CWU to continously stream real-time GPS point position solutions from ~600 western US receivers to the USGS-funded southern california, northern california and pacific northwest seismic networks, as well as both NOAA s pacific and national tsunami warning centers in honolulu, HI and palmer, AK. Specifically, we will: refactor and expand CWU s current architecture for processing ambiguity-resolved, real-time precise point positioning (PPP) into a system capable of analyzing thousands of stations simultaneously. Implement real-time PPP of all available global stations and return solutions via delivery systems similar to those now working for USGS and NOAA. This effectively creates a global real-time gnss facility useable by any agency of any nation. Move gpscockpit to the web, such that IT is accessible by an arbitrary number of users. Currently, gpscockpit is a standalone GUI application written in java that provides access to any of hundreds of real-time GPS time series, continuous instantaneous and triggered, estimated coseismic offsets, peak ground deformation, finite-fault seismic slip inversions, and tsunami excitation estimates. IT is currently running at USGS, NOAA, and other locations by users who have requested, on a individual basis, its installer. Moving gpscockpit to the web opens IT to anybody with a browser. While democratization of access is an advance, back-end support for an arbitrary number of users will require significant work. The proposed activities directly address the objectives identified in the national academies 2018 thriving on our changing planet: a decadal strategy for earth observation from space by using continuous satellite observations to provide data products needed to inform the assessment and mitigation of extreme events, specifically rapid characterization of earthquakes, forecasting of tsunami, volcanic eruptions and landslides over broad spatial and temporal scales. IT is also directly aligned with NASA 2016 challenges and opportunities for research in ESI (core) report challenges 1, 4 & 7 by quantifying the time-variable deformation across the spectrum at plate boundaries including earthquakes, tsunami excitation, volcano deformation and other hazards in assisting with risk mitigation of human society and activities atop a restless planet. IT directly addresses ESI programmatic goals of optimizing space observation systems by leveraging existing capabilities and infrastructure, of using NASA-developed technology in partnership with other US and international agencies outside the traditional ESI community, and of supporting interdisciplinary research between gnss, seismology, and tropospheric and ionospheric research. Finally, the proposed research will enable agencies that carry a statutory mandate for hazards monitoring, particularly USGS and NOAA, to adopt the proposed data products and tools. Letters of support from such agencies are included.