Gravity

ravity is the fundamental force of attraction between masses. On Earth, it results from the planet’s total mass and its rotation, producing a gravitational acceleration that varies spatially and temporally due to mass distribution and centrifugal effects.

In geodesy, gravity is a core observable used to determine the Earth’s gravity field, geoid, and physical height systems. Variations in gravity reflect mass redistribution within the solid Earth, oceans, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere. Measurements from terrestrial gravimeters, airborne surveys, and satellite gravimetry missions are essential for geoid modeling, sea level studies, Earth rotation analysis, and Earth system monitoring.