Sensitivity of quantum satellite gravimetry to geophysical signals - from Tibetan lakes to isostasy in the Iranian Plateau.

The quantum technology (QT) gravimeter has a flatter spectral measurement band compared to electrostatic accelerometers, which leads to a lower noise level in the measured gravity potential. The MOCAST+ project simulated the payload of a QT gravity gradiometer and clock in a multi-satellite architecture. We investigate the added value of the QT mission in terms of detecting earth gravity signals, covering static and time-variable sources. We address climate induced variations in lake levels and glaciers melting, mass movements hidden to surface observations. Regarding density structure, we consider which improvements on the knowledge of seismic faults or crustal structure can be expected from future QT gravity missions. The knowledge of the density column of the lithosphere is the parameter needed for defining the present isostatic equilibrium of the crust, and the physical reasons for vertical uplift or gravitative pull. The objective of this work is to discuss the geophysical signals and their spectral energies in terms of spherical harmonic expansion in comparison to the noise spectral curves of the QT satellite mission.