Special Issue on GNSS in Seismology—Advancing Earthquake Research and Hazard Mitigation

Introduction:

The integration of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) with seismology has advanced our understanding of earthquake processes, from pre-seismic strain accumulation to co- and post-seismic deformation, and long-term crustal dynamics. GNSS's high-precision, continuous, and wide-area geodetic measurements provide unprecedented insights into fault mechanics, rupture propagation, and tectonic stress changes—key to improving earthquake forecasting, hazard assessment, and risk reduction. As technology advances (e.g., low-cost GNSS receivers, real-time processing, multi-sensor fusion), the potential for innovation in this field is greater than ever.

This special issue/section aims to highlight the latest research that leverages GNSS data to address critical challenges in seismology, fostering collaboration between geodesy, seismology, and disaster science communities.

Topics covered:

We invite original research articles, reviews, and case studies that explore the application of GNSS in seismology, including but not limited to:

• Pre-Seismic Deformation and Early Warning​

Detection of pre-seismic strain accumulation, slow slip events, and aseismic transients using GNSS time series.

Real-time or near-real-time GNSS-based early warning systems for earthquakes, earthquake-induced natural hazards, and tsunamis.

Machine learning approaches to identify pre-seismic GNSS signals.

• Co-Seismic Rupture and Displacement​

High-resolution mapping of co-seismic surface displacements.

Rupture process inversion using GNSS and other geodetic data (InSAR, LiDAR).

Multi-fault interaction and complex rupture scenarios revealed by GNSS.

• Post-Seismic Deformation and Afterslip​

Post-seismic viscoelastic relaxation, afterslip, and poroelastic rebound modeled with GNSS time series.

Long-term (decadal) post-seismic deformation and its implications for fault zone rheology.

• Crustal Deformation and Tectonic Stress​

Interseismic strain accumulation and locking depth estimation on active faults.

Crustal motion in subduction zones, transform boundaries, and intraplate regions.

Tectonic stress changes inferred from GNSS-derived strain rates.

• Multi-Sensor Fusion and Data Integration​

Synergistic use of GNSS with InSAR, seismic networks, ocean bottom pressure sensors, and ground-based LiDAR.

Joint inversion of geodetic and seismic data for improved source characterization.

• GNSS Technology and Methodological Innovations​

Low-cost GNSS networks for dense urban or remote area monitoring.

Real-time GNSS processing algorithms and error mitigation (e.g., multipath, ionospheric effects).

GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R) for near-surface deformation and water level changes during earthquakes.

• Case Studies and Applications​

Regional or global case studies of recent major earthquake

GNSS applications in earthquake hazard zoning and infrastructure resilience planning.

Submission deadline: 

September 15, 2026​

Guest editor:

• Associate Research Professor, Yu Li, China Earthquake Networks Center, China. Email: yli@seis.ac.cn
• Associate Research Professor, Wei Xiong, Hubei Earthquake Agency, China. Email: xiongwei_19881229@163.com