Markus Rothacher: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2020 |  |
| Name | Prof. em. Dr. Markus Rothacher |
| Field | Mathematical and Physical Geodesy |
| Address | I. f. Geodäsie u. Photogrammetrie ETH Zürich, HPV G 52 Robert-Gnehm-Weg 15 8093 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 633 33 75 |
| markus.rothacher@ethz.ch | |
| Department | Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering |
| Relationship | Professor emeritus |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103-0126-AAL | Geodetic Reference Systems Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit. | 3 credits | 6R | M. Rothacher | |
| Abstract | Fundamentals and theory of geodetic reference systems and frames. Introduction to current international systems as well as to systems for the Swiss national geodetic survey. | ||||
| Learning objective | Provision of fundamental knowledge and theory to get familiar with the applications of geodetic reference systems. Special emphasis will be placed on international global systems as well as on the systems of the Swiss national geodetic survey. | ||||
| Content | Various coordinate systems and transformations; reference systems and frames (inertial, Earth-fixed, topocentric) and associated transformations between the systems; introduction to Earth rotation theory; time systems; Swiss national geodetic survey | ||||
| Lecture notes | Will be provided on ILIAS | ||||
| Literature | Will be provided on ILIAS | ||||
| 103-0146-00L | Basics of Geodetic Earth Observation | 2 credits | 2G | M. Rothacher | |
| Abstract | Newton's laws and reference systems, gravity field of the Earth, reference surfaces and height systems, description of the gravity field by spherical harmonics functions, gravity field measurements, geoid determination, moving measurment platforms, trajectography, inertial navigation | ||||
| Learning objective | Knowledge, that an Earth-fixed reference frame is an accelerated frame, that influences all measurement processes; master the basics of physical geodesy; capability to handle ellipsoidal and physical heights and to determine these; knowledge of the methods for geoid determination; know-how about the effects that have to be taking into account on moving platforms; basics of inertial navigation | ||||
| 103-0157-00L | Physical Geodesy and Geodynamics | 4 credits | 3G | M. Rothacher | |
| Abstract | Gravity field of the earth. Equipotential surfaces and geoid determination. Fundamentals in Potential Theory and inversion methods. Measuring techniques and gravity anomalies. | ||||
| Learning objective | Obtain knowledge in Physical Geodesy as a fundamental topic forming the basis for Geomatics and Geodynamics. Acquire skills in calculus covered in Physical Geodesy. | ||||
| Content | Gravity field of the earth and its parameterization. Equipotential surfaces, deflections of the vertical and geoid determination. Fundamentals in Potential Theory and inversion methods. Gravimetric measuring techniques and gravity anomalies. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Pre-Requisite: Basics of Higher Geodesy | ||||
| 103-0178-00L | Geodetic Earth Monitoring | 4 credits | 3G | M. Rothacher | |
| Abstract | The three pillars of geodesy, i.e. the geometry, rotation and gravity field of the Earth contribute to Earth system monitoring and will be considered here. 1) Earth rotation: theory, estimation and interpretation; 2) Gravity field: satellite missions, theory, estimation and interpretation; 3) Geodynamics (geometry): plate tectonics, earthquake cycle, isostasy and uplift rates. | ||||
| Learning objective | Understand the basics of Earth rotation and gravity field theory, with what type of methods they are determined and what they contribute to monitoring the Earth system. Get familiar with the major geodynamic processes within the crust and mantle and how they are being observed and monitored. | ||||
| Content | Part 1: Earth rotation - Kinematics of a solid body - Dynamic Eulerian equations of Earth rotation - Kinematic Eulerian equations of Earth rotation - Free rotation of the flattened Earth - Influence of Sun and Moon, Precession, Nutation - Earth as an elastic body - Determination of Earth rotation parameters - Mass distribution and mass transport affecting Earth rotation Part 2: Gravity field - Satellite missions - Gravity field determination from satellite data - Geoid computation from terrestrial data - Combination of satellite and terrestrial gravity fields - Precision of geoid computations - Mass distribution and transport affecting the Earth gravity field Part 3: Geodynamics: - Plate tectonics theory: including ocean bottom floor magnetism Curie temperature, age of the ocean bottom floor - Notions on crust material (oceanic/continental) - Concepts of mantle plumes, mantle convection and mantle flow and evidences supporting them - Earthquake cycle: elastic rebound theory, strain and stress measurements and measurements in the field during inter-, co- and post-seismic periods - Isostasy and strength models - Surface uplift rate applied to continental crust, volcanism, eroded areas. | ||||
| Lecture notes | A script and slides will be made available | ||||
| Literature | Beutler G., Methods of Celestial Mechanics. II: Application to Planetary System, Geodynamics and Satellite Geodesy, Springer, ISBN 3-540-40750-2, 2005. Hofmann-Wellenhof B. and Moritz H., Physical Geodesy, Springer, ISBN 13-978-3-211-33544-4, 2005/2006. Fowler C.M.R., The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics, Cambridge Univ. Press, ISBN 0-521-38590-3, 2005. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Recommended: Basics of Higher Geodesy Of advantage: Basics of Geodetic Earth Observation | ||||
| 103-0184-AAL | Higher Geodesy Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit. | 5 credits | 11R | M. Rothacher | |
| Abstract | Modern methods of Higher Geodesy. Basics of Shape of the Earth: Geoid determination and deflection of the vertical. Introduction into the most important topics: Satellite Geodesy and Navigation; Physical Geodesy and gravity field of the Earth; Astronomical Geodesy and Positioning; Mathematical Geodesy and basics of Geodynamics. Reference systems and applications in National and Global Geomatics. | ||||
| Learning objective | Overview over the entire spectrum of Higher Geodesy | ||||
| Content | Actual methods of Higher Geodesy. Basics of Shape of the Earth: Geoid determination and deflection of the vertical. Introduction into the most important topics: Satellite Geodesy (GPS) and Navigation; Physical Geodesy and gravity field of the Earth; Astronomical Geodesy and Positioning; Mathematical Geodesy and basics of Geodynamics. Reference systems and applications in National and Global Geomatics. | ||||
| Lecture notes | Rothacher, M.: Höhere Geodäsie (deutsch) | ||||
| 103-0798-00L | Geodetic Project Course  Does not take place this semester. Number of participants limited to 24. | 5 credits | 9P | M. Rothacher, K. Schindler, A. Wieser | |
| Abstract | Field course with practical geodetic projects (3 weeks) | ||||
| Learning objective | Field course with practical geodetic projects (3 weeks) | ||||
| Content | Single-handed treatment of current geodetic projects in groups of 3-5 students. Writing of a technical report with description of the project, calculations, results and interpretations. Possibility to continue the work in a semester or diploma thesis. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The 3-weeks course takes place June 10-28. The first two weeks are dedicated to field work, the 3rd week to finalise the projects in Zurich. | ||||
| 103-0838-00L | Geomonitoring and Geosensors | 4 credits | 3G | A. Wieser, M. Rothacher | |
| Abstract | This course provides an introduction to sensors, measurement techniques and analysis methods for geodetic monitoring of natural structures of local to regional scale like landslides, rock falls, volcanoes and tsunamis. Several case studies will highlight the application of the presented technologies. | ||||
| Learning objective | Understanding the core challenges and proven approaches to monitoring of local and regional deformation; gaining an overview of established measurement and data processing techniques for monitoring geometric changes. | ||||
| Content | Introduction to geomonitoring; sensors and measurement technologies: GNSS, TPS, TLS, GB-SAR, geosensor networks, geotechnical monitoring sensors; areal and point-wise deformation monitoring; congruency tests, network deformation analysis, sensitivity, regression and jump detection; estimation of strain tensor, block analysis; case studies. | ||||
| Lecture notes | The lecture slides and further literature will be made available on the course webpage. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Students should be familiar with geodetic networks, parameter estimation, GNSS and Engineering Geodesy. Students who have not taken the related courses of the ETH curriculum (or equivalent courses at another university) but want to take this course should contact the lecturers beforehand. | ||||
| 103-0850-00L | Physical and Kinematic Geodesy | 6 credits | 4G | M. Rothacher | |
| Abstract | Newton's laws and reference systems, gravity field of the Earth, reference surfaces and height systems, description of the gravity field by spherical harmonics functions, gravity field measurements, geoid determination, moving measurment platforms, trajectography, inertial navigation | ||||
| Learning objective | Erkenntnis, dass ein erdfestes Bezugssystem ein beschleunigtes Bezugssystem darstellt, das alle Messprozesse beeinflusst; Beherrschen der Grundlagen der physikalischen Geodäsie; Fähigkeit, mit ellipsoidischen und physikalischen Höhen umzugehen und diese zu bestimmen; Kenntnis der Methoden der Geoidbestimmung; Wissen über die Effekte, die auf einer bewegten Messplattform zu beachten sind; Grundkenntnisse in der Trägheitsnavigation | ||||
| Lecture notes | Lecture notes are available | ||||