Abstract
This paper demonstrates how the height of the geoid above the reference ellipsoid can be computed from surface gravity observations with high local precision. The geoid is the equipotential surface, closely approximated by mean sea level, which forms the zero-reference for conventional measurements of topographic height. The Global Positioning System (GPS) can measure the height of a ground-based receiver above the reference ellipsoid with a precision of a few centimetres. Consequently, a combination of GPS measurements with a precise gravimetric geoid can provide a cheap alternative to nationwide geodetic levelling.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Ashkenazi V et al. (1988) Levelling of tide gauges using GPS, Inst. of Eng. Surv. and Space Geod., University of Nottingham
Hipkin, R.G., D. Lyness, B. Chacksfield, C. Reay, D. Gibert, A.G. Turnbull, G.I. Lumsden (1988) Bouguer Anomaly Map of the British Isles, Brit. Geol. Surv. Nottingham.
Hipkin, R.G. (1988) Bouguer anomalies and the Geoid:a reassessment of Stokes’ method. Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc., 92, 53–66.
Kearsley, A.W.H. (1986) The determination of precise geoid differences using ring integration. Boll. Geod. Sci.Affini, XL V (2), 151–174.
Marsh, J.G., F.J. Lerch, B.H. Putney, D.O Christodoulidis, D.E. Smith, T.L. Felsentreger and B.V. Sanchez (1988) A new gravitational model for the Earth from satellite tracking data:GEM-T1, J. Geophy. Res., 93, 6169–6215.
Rapp R. and J. Cruz (1986) Spherical Harmonic Expansions of the Earth’s Gravitational Potential to Degree 360 using 30’ Mean Anomalies, Dept. of Geod. Sci. and SurL.Rep. 376, The Ohio State Univ., Columbus.
Wenzel,H.G (1985) Hochauflösende Kugelfunktionsmodelle für das Gravitationspotential der Erde, Wiss. Arb. der Vermessungswesen der Univ. Hannover. 137, Hannover/FRG
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Stewart, M.P., Hipkin, R.G. (1990). A High Resolution, High Precision Geoid for the British Isles. In: Sünkel, H., Baker, T. (eds) Sea Surface Topography and the Geoid. International Association of Geodesy Symposia, vol 104. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7098-7_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7098-7_5
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-97268-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-7098-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive