The GEMMA crustal model: first validation and data distribution

In the GEMMA project, funded by ESA-STSE and ASI, a new crustal model constrained by GOCE gravity field observations has been developed. This model has a resolution of 0.5°×0.5° and it is composed of seven layers describing geometry and density of oceans, ice sheets, upper, medium and lower sediments, crystalline crust and upper mantle. In the present work the GEMMA model is validated against other global and regional models, showing a good consistency where validation data are reliable. Apart from that the development of a WPS (Web Processing Service) for the distribution of the GEMMA model is also presented. The service gives the possibility to download, interpolate and display the whole crustal model, providing for each layer the depth of its upper and lower boundary, its density as well as its gravitational effect in terms of second radial derivative of the gravitational potential at GOCE altitude.