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We analyze data from 580 continuous global positioning system (GPS) stations in California to quantify differences in published velocity estimates from five analysis centers. Horizontal and vertical rates for individual stations can differ up to 5 mm/yr, with systematic differences in some areas comparable to deformation rates. Published velocity uncertainties vary between analysis centers and are systematically underreported in the horizontal relative to empirical uncertainties calculated from the scatter of analysis center velocities. In the vertical, published velocity uncertainties are both over and underreported and vary more widely between centers. An interpolated ensemble vertical velocity field shows high-subsidence regions in the Central Valley and Salton Trough have the largest empirical uncertainties, while station density has a modest impact on uncertainties. Applications that rely on subcentimeter GPS accuracy should consider the possibility that formal errors published with velocity rate estimates understate true velocity uncertainties in both the horizontal and vertical.

The study of vertical crustal motion in the contiguous United States (CONUS) has traditionally focused on the high-amplitude deformation caused by glacial isostatic adjustment. To better understand more subtle vertical crustal motion resulting from other geophysical processes, we take advantage of the ongoing expansion of continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) networks, whose geodetic observations provide ever-increasing accuracy and spatial resolution of surface deformation. Using position data for 2,782 GPS stations operating between 2007 and 2017, we produce a new vertical crustal velocity field for the CONUS region. We estimate our own station velocities to ensure consistent treatment of time series outliers, noise, and offsets, and we use adaptive smoothing and interpolation to account for spatially varying station density. Our velocity field reveals spatially coherent vertical features that are representative of regional tectonics, hydrologic, and anthropogenic processes. By removing the effects of modeled glacial isostatic adjustment and hydrologic loading estimated from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data, we reduce the variance in our velocity field by 36% and show residuals potentially due to geocenter motion and underlying tectonics.

The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04363203

Abstract: Atmospheric rivers (ARs) deliver significant and essential precipitation to the western United States (US) with consequential interannual variability. The intensity and frequency of ARs strongly influence reservoir levels, mountain snowpack, and groundwater recharge, which are key drivers of water‐resource availability and natural hazards. Between October 2022 and April 2023, western states experienced exceptionally heavy precipitation from several families of powerful ARs. Using observations of surface‐loading deformation from Global Navigation Satellite Systems, we find that terrestrial water‐storage gains exceeded 100% of normal within vital California watersheds. Independent water‐storage solutions derived from different data‐analysis and inversion methods provide an important measure of precision. The sustained storage increases, which we show are closely associated with ARs at daily‐to‐weekly timescales, alleviated both meteorological and hydrological drought conditions in the region, with a lag in hydrological‐drought improvements. Quantifying water‐storage recovery associated with extreme precipitation after drought advances understanding of an increasingly variable hydrologic cycle.