Abstract
A Global Vertical Reference Frame (GVRF) has been realized by means of several regional and local vertical datums (LVD) distributed world-wide: the North American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD 88), Australian Height Datum 1971 (AHD 71), LVD France, Institute Géographique National 1969 (IGN 69) and Brazilian Height Datum 1957 (BHD 57). The vertical shifts of the above LVD origins have been related to the adopted reference geopotential value W 0 = (62 636 856.0 ± 0.5) m2s−2 and they were determined at the 5 cm level. However, the W 0 reference value can be chosen arbitrarily, the methodology, which was developed here, does not require that the above value be adopted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
AUSLIG, 1998. Australian GPS-levelling data, 1998 ( web page http://www.auslig.gov.au).
Burke K.F., True S.A., Burša M. and Raděj K., 1996. Accuracy estimates of geopotential models and global geoids. In: R.H. Rapp, A.A. Cazenave and R.S. Nerem (Eds.), Proceedings of Symposium No.116 held in Boulder, CO, USA, July 12, 1995. Springer Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg, Germany, 50–60.
Burša M., Raděj K., Šíma Z, True S.A. and Vatrt V., 1997. Tests for accuracy of recent geopotential models. International Geoid Service Bulletin, No6, Politecnico di Milano, Italy, 167–188.
Burša M., Kouba J., Raděj K., True S.A., Vatrt V. and Vojtíšková M., 1999a: Determination of the geopotential at the tide gauge defining the North American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD88).Geomatica, 53, 459–466.
Burša M., Kouba J., Kumar M., Müller A., Raděj K., True S.A., Vatrt V. and Vojtíšková M., 1999b. Geoidal geopotential and World Height System. Stud. Geophys. Geod., 43, 327–337.
Burša M., Kouba J., Müller A., Raděj K., True S.A., Vatrt V. and Vojtíšková M., 2001.Determination of geopotential differences between local vertical datums and realization of a World Height System. Stud. Geophys. Geod., 45, 2001, 127–132.
Burša M., Kenyon S., Kouba J., Raděj K., Vatrt V., Vojtíšková M. and Šimek J., 2002a. World height system specified by Geopotential at tide gauge stations. IAG Symposium, Vertical Reference System. Cartagena, February 20-23, 2001, Colombia, Proceedings, Springer Vlg., 291–296.
Burša M., Groten E., Kenyon S., Kouba J., Raděj K., Vatrt V. and Vojtíšková M., 2002b. Earth's dimension specified by geoidal geopotential. Stud. Geophys. Geod., 46, 1–8.
Burša M., Kenyon S., Kouba J., Raděj K., Šíma Z., Vatrt V. and Vojtíšková M., 2002c. Dimension of the Earth's general ellipsoid. Stud. Geophys. Geod., 46, 31–41.
Dickey J.O., 1997. Satellite Gravity and the Geosphere. National Research Council Report, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 112 pp.
Featherstone W.E., 2002a. Attempts to unify the Australian Height Datum between the mainland and Tasmania. In: P. Drewes, A. Dodson, L.P. Fortes, L. Sanchez and P. Sandoval (Eds.), Vertical Reference Systems}, Springer Verlag, Berlin, 328–3
Featherstone W.E., 2002b. Prospects for the Australian Height Datum and geoid model. In: J. Adam and K.P. Schwarz (Eds.), Vistas for Geodesy in the New Millennium, Springer Verlag, Berlin, 96–101.
IAG SC3, 1995. Final Report. Travaux de L'Association Internationale de Géodésie, 30, 370–384.
Johnston G.M. and Luton G.C., 2001. GPS and the Australian Height Datum. In: K. Kubik, C. Rizos and W.E. Featherstone (Eds.), Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Satellite Navigation Technology and Applications, Canberra 24-27 July 2001 [CD-ROM], paper #25.
Lemoine F.G., Smith D.E., Kunz L., Smith R., Pavlis E.C., Klosko S.M., Chinn D.S., Torrence M.H., Williamson R.G., Cox C.H., Rachlin K.E., Wang Y.M., Kenyon S.C., Salman R., Trimmer R., Rapp R.H. and Nerem R.S., 1997. The Development of the NASA GSFC and NIMA Joint Geopotential Model. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Gravity, Geoid and Marine Geodesy (GRAGEOMAR 1995). The University of Tokyo, Japan, September 30-October 5, 1997. NASA report number NASA/TP-1998-20686+1. Springer Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg, Germany, 461–469.
Mainville A., 1997. The February 1997 GPS on BM data file from Canada, a distribution data set for 1482 stations in Canada. Geodetic Survey Division, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
Milbert D.G., 1995. Improvement of a high resolution geoid height model in the U.S. by GPS heights on NAVD88 benchmarks. International Geoid Service Bulletin, No4, Politecnico di Milano, Italy, 13–36.
Molodensky M.S., Yeremeev V.F. and Yurkina M.I., 1960. Methods for Study of the External Gravitational Field and Figure of the Earth. TRUDY TsNIIGAiK, Geodezizdat, Moscow (in Russian, English transl.: Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem, 1962, 248 pp.).
Rapp R.H., 1994. Separation between reference surfaces of selected vertical datums. Bulletin Géodésique, 69, 26–31.
Ries J.C., Eanes R.J., Shum C.K. and Watkins M.M., 1992. Progress in the determination of the gravitational coefficient of the Earth. Geophys. Res. Lett., 19, 271–274.
Roelse A., Granger H.W. and Graham J.W., 1971. The Adjustment of the Australian Levelling Survey-1970-71. Report 12, National Mapping Council, Canberra, 1971.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Burša, M., Kenyon, S., Kouba, J. et al. A Global Vertical Reference Frame Based on Four Regional Vertical Datums. Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica 48, 493–502 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SGEG.0000037468.48585.e6
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SGEG.0000037468.48585.e6