Permanent Alpine GNSS network - RENAG Alps

**RENAG-Alpes : GNSS monitoring and observation services in the northern French Alps

***Scientific objectives

Continuous measurements of GNSS stations’ various positions throughout the Alps allow us to monitor the progressive deformation of the Alps. This deformation generates a moderate but persistent seismicity. Significant quantification (±0.1 mm/an) of this deformation requires high quality observations over long duration (min. 5-10 years).

Our second objective is to monitor tropospheric humidity. Permanent GNSS networks fill a persistant gap in meteorological observations of tropospheric humidity, mostly by assimilating GNSS tropospheric delays in the current weather forecast system at Météo France (3D‐VAR ALADIN and AROME, est. December 2008). GNSS tropospheric delays over time can also present constraints to the the climatology of tropospheric water vapor. GNSS reflectometry (currently in development) allows us to quantify local snow depth and ground humidity.

Finally, our sites provide a stable reference point for local measurements (e.g. land slides, glacier flow, cadaster, geo‐referencing, etc.).

***Implementation

Twenty active permanent GNSS stations exist as of March 2017. Inactive station: FCLZ.

List of ISTerre/OSUG (RENAG-Alpes) permanent GNSS stations
This table contains a link towards the information log of each station on the RENAG database at OCA
CODE (access log)LocalityPositionInstallation datePhotoPosition time series up to May 2014Remarks
ALPE Alpe d’Huez, Isère 45°05’N 6°05’E 1893 m 30-10-2006
Photo ALPE
TS ALPE
ARGG Argentière Glacier, Haute Savoie 45°57’N
7°00’E
2728 m
21-02-2007
Photo ARGG
Site on the glacier, non RENAG
ARGR Argentière Refuge, Haute Savoie 45°56’N
7°00’E
2834 m
28-06-2007
Photo ARGR
TS ARGR
Antenna re-installed several times
AVR1 Avignonnet, Isère 44°57’N 5°39’E
924 m
05-12-2007
Photo AVR1
TS AVR1
Site OMIV
BANN Fort de Banne, Ardèche 44°22’N
4°09’E
416 m
03-07-2003
Photo BANN
TS BANN
CHAM Chamrousse, Isère 45°06’N
5°52’E
1874 m
19-12-2003
Photo CHAM
TS CHAM
CHMX Chamonix, Haute Savoie 45°55’N
6°52’E
1128 m
29-06-2007
Photo CHMX
TS CHMX
CHTL Le Châtel, Savoie 45°18’N
6°21’E
838 m
14-04-1999
Photo CHTL
TS CHTL
FCLZ La Feclaz, Savoie 45°38’N
5°59’E
1374 m
04-06-1998
Photo FCLZ
TS FCLZ
stopped 04-01-2012
GERL Gerland, Isère 44°52’N 5°29’E 1572 m 16-07-2014
Photo GERL
Reflectometry, collaboration IGE
JANU Fort du Janus, Montgenèvre, Hautes Alpes 44°54’N
6°42’E
2597 m
14-10-2005
Photo JANU
TS JANU
LEBE Col de Lèbe, Ain 45°54’N
5°37’E
940 m
25-06-2005
Photo LEBE
TS LEBE
LFAZ Le Faz, Isère 45°6’N
5°23’E
1078 m
10-01-2005
Photo LFAZ
TS LFAZ
MODA Modane, Savoie 45°12’N
6°42’E
1259 m
16-10-1998
Plan MODA
TS MODA
management transmitted to Teria
NATT Nattages, Ain 45°42’N 5°45’E 380 m 20-05-2016
Photo NATT
OGAG Argentière-la-Bessée, Hautes Alpes 44°47’N 6°32’E 1260 m 19-07-2011
Photo OGAG
TS OGAG
PUYA Puy Aillaud, Vallouise, Hautes Alpes 44°51’N
6°28’E
1704 m
30-11-2005
Photo PUYA
TS PUYA
ROSD Roselend, Savoie 45°41’N
6°37’E
1703 m
15-12-2005
Photo ROSD
TS ROSD
SJDV Saint Jean de Vignes, Rhône 45°52’N
4°40’E
432 m
10-10-1997
Photo SJDV
TS SJDV
STEY Fort du Saint Eynard, Isère 45°14’N
5°45’E
1459 m
27-05-2003
Photo STEY
TS STEY
SURF Fort de Saint Ours, Meyronnes, Alpes 44°29’N 6°49’E 1820 m 10-01-2017
Photo SURF

***Partners

The network RENAG-Alps contributes to the national observatory service RENAG, member of RESIF (French Seismologic and geodetic network).

***Financements

The service "Permanent GNSS" of OSUG corresponds to the Alpine component of SNO RENAG and is financed by INSU, IR RESIF and OSUG.

***Contact

Andrea WALPERSDORF
Anne SOCQUET
Nathalie COTTE


**RENAG : GNSS National Permanent Research Network, national observatory service of INSU, member of RESIF

This department coordinates the activities of research laboratories and governmental organisations through the acquisition and use of long-term permanent GNSS measurements in mainland France. RENAG is a member of the French Seismologic and Geodetic Network RESIF.

***Links

RENAG website
RESIF website