The recent progress using high-precision terrestrial gravity measurements

Compare with the airborne and satellite-borne gravity measurements, terrestrial gravity measurements (TGMs) are closer to the sources of mass change and have relatively higher accuracy. The static anomalies and dynamic changes derived from TGMs have been widely used to study various geodynamic problems. Many high-precision gravity products using TGMs have become available since 21 century because of the development of modern observation techniques (especially those in absolute gravimetry) and the terrestrial network. Much of the progress of geodesy and geophysics has come from these products. In this paper, we briefly summarize the recent progress in geodesy and geophysics using high-precision TGMs during the last decade or so. The first group of applications adopts the gravity anomalies from TGMs, which includes constructing gravity field and geoid models, establishing crustal models, computing Moho undulations, and estimating the effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere. The second group of applications adopts the time-varying gravity changes from TGMs, which includes constructing time-varying gravity field models, detecting weak dynamic signals, estimating crustal tectonic deformation rates, and analyzing possible correlations with volcanic and seismic processes. We also discuss the next opportunities for ground gravimetry. Our findings could benefit the construction and development of the gravity observation system in the Chinese Mainland.