The COMET scientists have used GPS for a wide range of applications, such as measuring the movement of mountains and measuring ground movement during and after earthquakes.

New Zealand lies across the boundary between two of the Earth's tectonic plates. The plates are actively sliding towards and past each other, pushing up the mountains of the Southern Alps. Precise GPS measurements have shown how the Southern Alps of the South Island have moved over a six-year period. These measurements were made by monitoring the positions of of metal pins (set into the rock) every two years.