GNSS-BASED DETECTION OF SMALL-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKES (M < 5) IN EASTERN EUROPE

This study examines the use of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) for earthquake detection, utilising the GipsyX software to analyze ground displacements. GNSS technology provides real-time, high-precision measurements of the Earth’s crust, which are crucial for detecting the subtle shifts that indicate seismic activity. We investigated three seismic events from 2023 and 2024, assessing how the earthquake magnitude and the distance from the epicenter impacted the GNSS station coordinate time series. Stations located closer to the epicenters showed more pronounced displacements, especially in events with higher magnitudes. For smaller earthquakes, shifts were observed mainly in the vertical (Up) direction, while larger tremors caused noticeable changes in both horizontal and vertical coordinates. The results reveal that even moderate seismic activity can be detected when stations are positioned within a certain range from the epicenter. These findings underscore the reliability of GNSS-based systems in monitoring seismic shifts and highlight the value of distance and magnitude in determining the extent of ground displacements. By enhancing real-time monitoring, this approach improves early warning systems, offering critical insights for earthquake preparedness and risk mitigation. Keywords: GNSS, earthquake detection, seismic monitoring, high-frequency GNSS data, GipsyX.