Gravimetric Geoid Determination by Using Terrestrial and Satellite-derived Data

Being a fundamental vertical reference surface, the use of the geoid is not limited to geodesy/geodetic applications. It is also used, but not limited to, in geophysics (i.e. interpretation of the Earth’s internal structure, solid earth science), geology (i.e. subsurface delineation), oceanography, and mapping/geographic information systems (GIS)/national spatial development infrastructure (NSDI) (i.e. for positioning needs) (Vaníček and Krakiwsky, 1986). The knowledge of the geoid may also be used in important sociopolitical and environmental issues like sea level change, urban and rural planning, ground subsidence, and climate change (Vergos, 2008).