Estimation of the Reference Geopotential Value for the Local Vertical Datum of Continental Greece Using EGM08 and GPS/Leveling Data

Estimation of the zero-height geopotential level represented by W _o ^LVD in a local vertical datum (LVD) is a problem of main importance for a wide range of geodetic applications related to different height frames and plays a fundamental role in the connection of traditional height reference systems into a global height system or even a modern geoid-based vertical datum. This paper aims primarily at the estimation of W _o ^LVD for the continental part of Greece, with the use of surface gravity data and geopotential values computed from EGM08 in conjunction with GPS and orthometric heights over an extensive network which covers sufficiently the test area. The method used focuses on the estimation of W _o ^LVD from a least squares adjustment scheme that is applied on the Helmert model for orthometric heights, using surface geopotential and gravity values (as obtained from EGM08 and the known 3D geocentric coordinates of each benchmark) along with the local Helmert heights over all network stations. Moreover, an attempt is made towards the modeling and removal of any height correlated errors in the available data according to this adjustment procedure. Different weighting schemes are tested, and, finally, some conclusions are drawn considering the accuracy of the obtained results.