Abstract: Using Airborne Gravimetry to Develop a Geoid-based Vertical Datum for the U.S. with the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) Project (2015 Joint Assembly)

Using Airborne Gravimetry to Develop a Geoid-based Vertical Datum for the U.S. with the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) Project

Monica Youngman¹, Vicki A Childers¹, Theresa Damiani¹, Sandra A Preaux², Simon A Holmes³ and Carly Weil², (1)NOAA, National Geodetic Survey, Silver Spring, MD, United States, (2)DST, Silver Spring, MD, United States, (3)SGT inc., Greenbelt, MD, United States

Contact First Author: Monica Youngman; monica.youngman@noaa.gov

Abstract ID#: 33802

English Abstract:

The U.S. National Geodetic Survey is nearing 50% completion of airborne gravity data collection through the Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) Project, which was started in 2008 to modernize the vertical datum using a gravimetric geoid accurate to 1 centimeter where possible. With data collected over multiple decades and covering approximately 15.5 million square kilometers when complete, the GRAV-D project continues to face unique challenges to incorporate changing technology and research developments as well as demonstrate the improvements to the geoid. In this presentation we outline the evolution of collection and processing methods as well as results of ground validation and geoid improvement. We also discuss current and future research work, including the effects of kinematic GPS processing, platform motion and off-level corrections, and the potential to use unmanned aerial vehicles.

Back to: Gravity and Gravity Gradiometry: Instrumentation and Applications