Assessing the data quality and seismic monitoring capabilities of the Belt and Road GNSS network

Abstract

The Belt and Road global navigation satellite system (B&R GNSS) network is the first large-scale deployment of Chinese GNSS equipment in a seismic system. Prior to this, there have been few systematic assessments of the data quality of Chinese GNSS equipment. In this study, data from four representative GNSS sites in different regions of China were analyzed using the G-Nut/Anubis software package. Four main indicators (data integrity rate, data validity ratio, multi-path error, and cycle slip ratio) used to systematically analyze data quality, while evaluating the seismic monitoring capabilities of the network based on earthquake magnitudes estimated from high-frequency GNSS data are evaluated by estimating magnitude based on high-frequency GNSS data. The results indicate that the quality of the data produced by the three types of Chinese receivers used in the network meets the needs of earthquake monitoring and the new seismic industry standards, which provide a reference for the selection of equipment for future new projects. After the B&R GNSS network was established, the seismic monitoring capability for earthquakes with magnitudes greater than M_W6.5 in most parts of the Sichuan-Yunnan region improved by approximately 20%. In key areas such as the Sichuan-Yunnan Rhomboid Block, the monitoring capability increased by more than 25%, which has greatly improved the effectiveness of regional comprehensive earthquake management.