Friday, March 29, 2019

Site Survey Contributes to Global Coordinate System

NGS personnel conducted a local site survey at the Haleakalā Observatory in Maui, Hawaii, to determine the spatial relationship of two instruments-one of which is operated by NASA-for conducting space geodesy. The international body responsible for maintaining global time and reference frame standards uses information from local site surveys, NGS Foundation CORS, and space geodesy observations to realize the global coordinate system, or International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). NGS surveys use the latest technologies to improve the ITRF, which is a key element in monitoring plate tectonics, measuring regional subsidence and/or uplift, providing consistent navigation systems, determining the rate of sea level rise, and employing other important Earth science applications.

For more information, contact: Benjamin.Erickson@noaa.gov