Use of CORS Time Series for Geodynamics Applications in Western Sicily (Italy)

In the last few decades, the use of GNSS Continuously Operating
Reference Station (CORS) networks allowed improving the accuracy of realtime
positioning and post-processing positioning. In this way, several applications
have been performed including remote sensing, agriculture, cultural heritage
and geodynamics studies. The latter have been developed analysing CORS
time-series and consistent data over long periods were needed to validate the
results. In Italy, specifically in Sicily, two CORS networks were be used to
monitor the geodynamics motions: the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia
(INGV) GNSS CORS network in the eastern part and the University
of Palermo (UNIPA) GNSS CORS network in the western part. In this research,
preliminary results of time series about geodynamics motions of the western part
of Sicily have been presented. In particular, the time series of the UNIPA GNSS
CORS network have been analyzed over time by using the static positioning,
over a period of approximately 5 years. Results showed a linear trend for all
CORS time series, according to literature. An innovative methodology, the static
Precise Point Positioning (PPP) has been also tested, to determine the time series
of one CORS and compare the results with the static solution. The comparison
between the two methodologies (static and PPP) demonstrated the capabilities of
PPP technique with benefits in terms of costs and time.