Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration ISSN:1229-1064(Print) 2384-051X(Online) 지구물리와 물리탐사

Displacement of the Earth’s surface due to atmospheric loading has been recognized since a century years ago, and its accurate estimation is required in present day geodesy and surveying, particularly in space geodesy. Atmospheric load deformation in continental region can readily be calculated with the given atmospheric pressure field and the load Green’s function, and, in near coastal area, approximate model is used for the calculation. The changes in the Earth’s atmospheric circulation and the seasonal variation of atmospheric pressure on two hemispheres of the Earth are the each main causes of variation of the Earth’s spin angular velocity and polar motion respectively. Wind and atmospheric pressure do the major role in other periodic and non-periodic perturbations of the positions in the Earth’s reference frame and variations in the Earth’s spin rotational state. In this reviewing study, the developments of related theories and models are summarized along with brief description of phenomena, and the geodetic perturbing effects of a hypothetical typhoon passing Korea are shown as an example. Finally related existing problems and further necessary studies are discussed in general.