Abstract
Recently reported analyses of 5½ yr of orbital data for the laser geodynamics satellite (Lageos) have revealed a residual acceleration in the node of its orbit in the amount −14.7±1.3 m arc s yr−2. This acceleration is predominantly attributable to a secular decrease of the degree two component of the Earth's gravitational potential field J2. The implied rate of change of J2 is (−3.5±0.3) × 10−11yr−1. The following analysis argues that this effect is due to Pleistocene deglaciation and that it can be used to constrain strongly the viscosity of the Earth's deep mantle.
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Peltier, W. Constraint on deep mantle viscosity from Lageos acceleration data. Nature 304, 434–436 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/304434a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/304434a0
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