Open Access on GNSS Permanent Networks Data in Case of Disaster

Earthquakes, as a natural phenomenon causing large physical and social destruction, are the subject of intensive research throughout the world. Spurred by the fact that in year 2020, two catastrophic earthquakes hit Croatia, in March with epicenter near Zagreb and December with epicenter near Petrinja, at the Faculty of Geodesy, University of Zagreb activities were initiated with the aim of strengthening the ability to react in these situations. Focus of those activities is on providing fast, adequate, and complete information on the disaster in the field of geodesy and geoinformatics. The research was focused on interpretation of kinematics of surface motion during the earthquake itself for what high rate permanent GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) network stations registrations are necessary. The Croatian earthquakes experience as well as the Mexico (June 2020) and Samosa earthquake (October 2020), pointed out, related to the use of high-rate registration GNSS data, that the primary problem in the use of this data is open access to the data itself. That is why this study has been launched - to gain a global picture of the availability of data from permanent GNSS networks around the world. The research included the collection and processing of information on open access policies for permanent GNSS networks data in the event of natural disasters with an emphasis on earthquakes. A global survey of institutions around the world responsible for managing GNSS permanent networks has been conducted. The survey contains three groups of questions that include general information on the type of permanent networks, models of access to network data and the readiness of countries to reach an international agreement on the opening data of the GNSS network in the event of a disaster. The results indicated that a high percentage of countries participating in the survey were ready to agree to open the data and introduce a common international portal through which scientists and researchers would be able to download GNSS permanent network data free of charge in the event of natural disasters.