MELINA · Development of a global network for the real-time detection of failures and extreme events in natural disasters

The proposed MELINA project aims at bringing together experts in geodetic satellite positioning for precise earth-surface deformation monitoring related to natural disasters, like earthquakes, landslides, rockfalls, etc. The main objective is to develop statistical tools for early detection of failures or progressive secular changes of very small magnitude in geodetic monitoring signals, in a timely, precise, uniform and reliable manner to support early warnings. To accomplish this task this international consortium will collaborate to a) integrate existing and future global satellite navigation systems (e.g., GPS, Glonass, BeiDou, Galileo) established at different world locations and monitoring earth surface deformation, b) advance mathematical and physical modelling for developing these statistical tools, and c) validate the performance of newly developed algorithms for abrupt change detection in geodetic monitoring signals.This exchange program will enhance each partner’s skills on a common and internationally-adopted basis to issue warnings when monitoring deformation of earth surface using global positioning satellite systems. This networking activity will be achieved by sharing knowledge, enhancing research training, and finally acquiring new techniques through algorithm development for quality control and deformation monitoring of signals produced by satellite positioning.""