Abstract
GIS Solutions to Problems in Physical Geodesy
Track: Mining and Geosciences
Author(s): David Munton, Lisa McFarland, Bruce Haufler, Bruce Hoholik, Russell Vaughan
The aim of physical geodesy is an understanding of the structure of the Earth’s gravity field. Knowledge of the Earth’s gravity field plays a role in Inertial Navigation Systems, defining heights, and in monitoring temporal variations of mass within the Earth.
In this discussion, we focus on the role of GIS in the analysis of local and global sets of point gravity measurements that are used to develop worldwide gravity models. We will describe the features of the data, and describe a simple data model. We will describe unique characteristics and features of sample data sets, and illustrate the types of tools required to perform interesting geodetic computations. Finally, we will provide examples of the physical insight that a GIS analysis can provide into the behavior of the data.
David Munton
Applied Research Laboratories, The University of Texas at Austin
POB 8029
Austin , Texas 78713-8029
United States
Phone: 512-835-3831
E-mail: muntond@arlut.utexas.edu
Lisa McFarland
Applied Research Laboratories: The University of Texas at Austin
10000 Burnet Rd
Austin , Texas 78758
United States
Phone: 512-835-3402
E-mail: lmcfarland@arlut.utexas.edu
Bruce Haufler
Applied Research Laboratories: The University of Texas at Austin
10000 Burnet Rd
Austin , Texas 78758
United States
Phone: 512-835-3922
E-mail: hauflerb@arlut.utexas.edu
Bruce Hoholik
Applied Research Laboratories: The University of Texas at Austin
10000 Burnet Rd
Austin , Texas 78758
United States
Phone: 512-835-3270
E-mail: hoho@arlut.utexas.edu
Russell Vaughan
Applied Research Laboratories: The University of Texas at Austin
10000 Burnet Rd
Austin , Texas 78758
United States
Phone: 512-835-3569
E-mail: rvaughan@arlut.utexas.edu