Abstract
Progress of GPS application to crustal deformation researches has been reviewed from the stand point of “Japanese University Consortium for GPS Research” (JUNCO). JUNCO was established in 1987 when a lot of dual frequency GPS receivers were introduced abruptly under the national projects of earthquake prediction and volcanic eruption prediction. The consortium aimed to exchange information on GPS research and to promote joint observational researches in Japan. Thus, a number of cooperative observational studies have been conducted under the name of JUNCO since its establishment. Such studies include not only domestic nationwide and local dense array campaign observations but also international projects in Asian and Pacific regions. Later, as the Geographical Survey Institute (now, Geospatial Information Authority of Japan) established the nationwide GPS observation network (GEONET), edge cutting researches have been made using GEONET data. The GPS technology is now becoming a fully-fledged technology. Due to the developments of other satellite navigation systems other than GPS, these systems are collectively called as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Given this new trend of technology, we may have to seek for a new trend of applications of the technology. Some possible innovative applications to earth science are discussed.
