Thursday, February 9, 2017

NGS Featured in Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders

NGS's Dru Smith, interviewed for Atlas Obscura:, described geodetic control points located around the nation's capital. The first online article highlights the Mini Monument, positioned near the base of the Washington Monument in the 1880's as part of a transcontinental leveling program when the ground level was lower and large parts of the monument's foundation were still visible above the ground. The second story features the aluminum-tipped lightning rod atop the monument that has been melted by repeated lightning strikes. The stories refer to NGS survey efforts following the rare 5.8-magnitude earthquake in 2011 that shook the city with enough force to loosen mortar and crack stones in the monument. NGS assisted the National Park Service by determining the monument's architectural height following an extensive survey of the monument and surrounding geounds. Two additional stories will be forthcoming.

For more information, contact: Dru.Smith@noaa.gov