Soil moisture monitoring is important for many applications, from improving weather prediction to supporting agriculture practices. Our capability to measure this variable is still, however, limited. In this study, we show the tests conducted on a new soil moisture sensor at several locations. The results show that the new sensor is a valid and compact alternative to more conventional, non-invasive soil moisture sensors that can pave the way for a wide range of applications.

Much of the world relies on groundwater as a water resource, yet it is hard to know when and where rainfall replenishes our groundwater aquifers. Caves, mines, and tunnels that are situated above the groundwater table are unique observatories of water transiting from the land surface to the aquifer. This paper will show how networks of loggers deployed in these underground spaces across Australia have helped understand when, where, and how much rainfall is needed to replenish the groundwater.

We present the implementation of a VLF/LF network to search for earthquake electromagnetic precursors. The proposed system will deliver a steady stream of real-time amplitude and phase measurements as well as a daily recording VLF/LF data set. The first implementation of the system was done in Graz, Austria. The second one will be in Guyancourt (France), with a third one in Réunion (France) and a fourth one in Moratuwa (Sri Lanka).

Low-cost sensors could fill gaps in existing observation networks. To ensure data quality, the quality of the factory calibration of a given sensor has to be evaluated if the sensor is used out of the box. Here, the factory calibration of a widely used low-cost rain gauge type has been tested both in the lab (66) and in the field (20). The results of the study suggest that the calibration of this particular type should at least be checked for every sensor before being used.

The gas equilibrium membrane inlet mass spectrometry (GE-MIMS) method for dissolved-gas quantification was expanded to work in water at high pressures.

Motivated by recent community interest in a satellite mission to the atmospheric lower thermosphere and ionosphere (LTI) region (100–200 km altitude), the DIPCont project is concerned with the reconstruction quality of vertical profiles of key LTI variables using dual- and single-spacecraft observations. The report introduces the probabilistic DIPCont modeling framework, demonstrates its usage by means of a set of self-consistent parametric non-isothermal models, and discusses first results.

Research data resulting from geoscientific laboratory methods comprise multiple types and formats. A diversity of Earth system science fuels are needed to make research data available to scientists beyond a particular discipline. Global working groups define standards and create tools to improve research data handling in general. Adaption of these solutions to the needs of the geoscientific disciplines is vital to enable the development of a widely applicable geoscientific laboratory database.

Magnetic field measurements in space can be contaminated by stray magnetic fields from their host satellite. We present an automated tool for measuring the magnetic field generated by potential satellite and instrument components to identify those that may degrade the measurements taken on orbit. This tool is designed for use by the Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) Small Explorers mission and is currently being used for mission design activities.

We present the experimental results of a new copper-based alloy suitable for use in high-precision magnetic sensing. It outperforms by providing lower magnetic noise and superior power consumption. Prototype sensors constructed from this material can meet an exacting standard, the 2012 1 s INTERMAGNET standard, for magnetic observatories.

Data recorded with transient electromagnetics are typically gated to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Gating corresponds to low-pass filtering of data with the shape of the gate giving the frequency response. We show that standard gate shapes can lead to significant correlation between gates caused by distortion from VLF radios. A multi-objective cost function is used to select optimum gate shapes with less influence from radio noise. Performance is demonstrated using synthetic and field data.

Geomagnetic observatories are dedicated to the long-term monitoring of the Earth's magnetic field. Their time series contain information mainly about the Earth's core and the near-Earth space environment. MOSFiT accesses a global database with the most recent observatory data and allows us to separate the information about the Earth's core. At the same time, it allows for an efficient check of the data quality. We present the code, validate it and explain its usage.

Manual chambers for soil respiration monitoring can be cost-effective yet rather accurate devices. The described chamber is relatively low in cost and entirely built from commercial parts, which makes it very accessible for almost everybody. Our chamber is robust, simple to operate, and very suitable for a large-scale punctual campaign and for educational purposes. Oxygen sensors bring some more insights into our soil respiration understanding.

This paper presents a design for a 3D-printed rechargeable electrode that measures self-potential (SP) in different types of laboratory experiments. It is small, cheap, robust, and stable, and it offers the same performance as custom-machined laboratory standards. The use of 3D printing technology makes the electrode more versatile and cost-effective than traditional laboratory standards. Examples of its use under both low and high pressure have been included, as have 3D-printable designs.

Heat storage in the soil is difficult to measure due to vertical heterogeneity. To improve measurements, we designed a 3D-printed probe that uses fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing to measure a vertical profile of soil temperature. We validated the temperature measurements against standard instrumentation. With the high-resolution data we were able to determine the thermal diffusivity of the soil at a resolution of 2.5 cm, which is much higher compared to traditional methods.

The paper discusses the accuracy of the scalar magnetometer on board the scientific satellite mission Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer of the European Space Agency. A novel method is described which utilises experiments, performed with a coil system in a geomagnetic observatory, and a mathematical data processing approach to separate the systematic errors of the coil system from the systematic error of the magnetometer. With this, the paper shows that the instrument’s accuracy is below 0.2 nT (1σ).

We compared wind measurements using different lidar setups at various heights. The triple Doppler lidar, sonic anemometer, and two single Doppler lidars were tested. Overall, the lidar methods showed good agreement with the sonic anemometer. The triple Doppler lidar performed better than single Doppler lidars, especially at higher altitudes. We also developed a new filtering approach for virtual tower scanning strategies. Single Doppler lidars provide reliable wind data over flat terrain.

The magnetic equator is the region where the magnetic field is horizontal and therefore strong ionospheric electric currents occur, the so-called equatorial electrojet. The magnetic equator is predicted to be at Macapá state in 2024. Therefore, a new magnetometer station was installed in Macapá in order to track the effects of the equatorial electrojet. We present the setup and data analysis of Macapá station, and we develop a method for temperature correction of the vector magnetometer data.

Demonstrating the space flight capability of the next generation of precise, reliable magnetic field instruments is important for enabling future space science missions that will further our understanding of the connection between Earth's magnetic field and the Sun. Here, we present a new magnetic field instrument design called Tesseract, the results from its successful first space flight demonstration aboard a rocket, and its measurements of magnetic fields associated with the aurora.

We developed a serialized small-diameter hydraulic fracturing in situ stress measurement system, which enables series measurement of small-sized boreholes for in situ stress and has the advantage of a simple and lightweight structure, short testing time, high success rate, and low requirements for rock integrity and pressurization equipment. This system has important practical value and economic significance for accurately determining the in situ stress state of deep development areas.

The remote-sensing InSAR technique is vital for monitoring slope instabilities but requires understanding. This paper delves into differences between satellite and GB-InSAR. It offers a tool to determine the optimal GB-InSAR installation site, considering various technical, meteorological, and topographical factors. By generating detailed maps and simulating radar image characteristics, the tool eases the setup of monitoring campaigns for effective and accurate ground movement tracking.

Natural gas hydrate (GH) is a significant potential energy source. However, the gas production rate of past GH production tests is much lower than the requirement of commercial gas production. Reservoir stimulation technologies like hydraulic fracture provide one potential approach to enhance gas production from GH. This paper presents an experimental facility that was developed to analyze the hydraulic fracture mechanism in a synthesized hydrate-bearing sediments.

We have developed a novel flexible measurement array for deep landslide displacement and measurement processes, which enables higher accuracy in full-hole multidimensional deformation measurement. It provides a more comprehensive monitoring tool for disaster prevention and reduction.

Spaceflight magnetic-field measurements are often contaminated by interference from the host spacecraft. We present a new dataset to enable the development and testing of interference mitigation schemes for spaceflight magnetic-field data. Over 100 h of data, including laboratory-generated proxies for magnetic interference and geophysical signals, have been produced. A ground truth for the underlying interference is also provided, enabling the rigorous quantification of data-cleaning techniques.

In an airborne survey, dynamic flight conditions cause unequal data levels, which have a serious impact on airborne geophysical data analysis and interpretation. A new technique is proposed to level geophysical data, and we confirm the reliability of the method by applying it to magnetic data and apparent conductivity data. The method can automatically extract the levelling errors without the participation of staff members or tie line control.

This study uses the WRF–CALMET model to study the influence of topography near Zhongchuan Airport on low-level wind shear. The simulation accuracy of CALMET is higher than that of WRF. Terrain sensitivity experiments highlighted CALMET's ability to respond to terrain changes during periods of high wind speeds. This study verified the effectiveness of CALMET in simulating low-altitude wind shear, highlighting its excellent ability to capture terrain effects and mitigate aviation safety issues.

Nearly 200 sets of three-axis fluxgate magnetometers are used in Chinese geomagnetic observatories, but due to their directional errors, it is necessary to study error correction methods to improve measurement accuracy. Experimental results show that correcting the Z-axis and D-axis directional errors is essential. The observation data after error correction demonstrate the clear correction effect. The measurement device used in the experiment is low in cost and easy to disseminate.

This paper describes new humidity measurements performed with the humidity instruments of the MSL, Mars 2020 and ExoMars missions. Special facilities are needed to create Martian conditions, and a measurement campaign was performed at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to obtain datasets for REMS-H, MEDA HS and METEO-H instruments. The results from the campaign improved the humidity data we receive from MEDA HS/Perseverance and can further improve the existing Martian relative humidity data.

This paper describes the development of a controlled-source ultra-audio frequency electromagnetic receiver based on remote wireless communication technology for use in geophysical prospecting. Our design successfully addresses several shortcomings of such instruments currently available on the market, including their weight, limitations in data acquisition frequency, and difficulty in connecting to the internet for remote monitoring.

Clay minerals are helpful markers of low-temperature geological processes. The combination of their characterization with geochronology is a powerful tool to constrain physical and chemical processes, improving our understanding of the evolution of the Earth system. This paper aims to present the platform along with the associated methods developed at the GeoRessources laboratory (University of Lorraine) to separate and characterize clay minerals and date illites using the K–Ar method.