Observing Geodynamics From the Analysis of 

7.3-Year LAGEOS Data

M. MURATA Systems Division, National Aerospace Laboratory, 

Tokyo

Analysis results of satellite laser ranging (SLR) data taken on LAGEOS (Laser 

Geodynamics Satellite) for the 7.3-year period from September 1983 to December 1990 are 

described. LAGEOS data were analyzed in the form of 3-minute normal points to compute 

the earth orientation parameters (EOP) and a new global solution of the geocentric 

coordinates for the selected 20 laser stations. Reliable and accurate contemporary plate 

tectonic motions have been determined on the basis of time-ordered changes of station 

coordinates derived by successive yearly station positioning using the 7-year yearly datasets. 

The results are compared with geological plate motion models, the Minster-Jordan AMO-2 

and NUVEL NNR-1.