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Calculation of geoid–quasigeoid separation using the solution of Laplace’s equation by finite difference method—examples from Iran

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Abstract

Determining precise separation between geoid and quasigeoid is of great importance in physical geodesy. Different methods are used in order to obtain this quantity at any point on the earth surface. In this paper, the geoid–quasigeoid separation is determined at the internal points of three regions including Alborz, Kavir plain, and Khuzestan in Iran. To do so, the known boundary separation values in the three mentioned regions are used and the Laplace equation is solved by finite difference method. Comparison of the separation values obtained from finite difference method and the separation values obtained from normal and orthometric heights in the three studied regions showed that the finite difference method is properly capable of determining the geoid–quasigeoid separation. Moreover, the results obtained from this method in coastal and flat regions are more valid than those in mountainous regions with ragged topography.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geophysics, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, University Square, Shahid-Sattari Expressway, Tehran, Iran

    Mahmoud Mehramuz & Hossein Zomorrodian

  2. Department of Geophysics, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran

    Sajad Sharifi

Authors
  1. Mahmoud Mehramuz
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  2. Hossein Zomorrodian
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  3. Sajad Sharifi
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Correspondence to Mahmoud Mehramuz.

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Mehramuz, M., Zomorrodian, H. & Sharifi, S. Calculation of geoid–quasigeoid separation using the solution of Laplace’s equation by finite difference method—examples from Iran. Arab J Geosci 8, 1513–1520 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-1213-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-1213-x

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