Abstract
Three different approaches for the unification of height reference frames have been used to compute datum offsets between national vertical reference frames in Europe: the oceanographic approach, the spirit leveling approach and the gravity field approach. All three methods are discussed and advantages and drawbacks are evaluated. A set of tide gauge locations is used to compute height datum offsets between national height reference frames in Europe based on all three approaches. The results agree on a level of 5–10 cm. In summary, the gravity field approach is the most flexible approach. The ESA satellite gravity mission GOCE ensures a uniform global level in the range of 1–2 cm. Hence, the gravity field approach is a suitable approach for future realizations of the European Vertical Reference Frame as well as for the establishment of a World Height System.
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Acknowledgements
This investigation has been performed within the Support to Science Element GOCE+ Height System Unification of the European Space Agency. We acknowledge the associate editor and the three reviewers for their comments to improve the manuscript.
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Rülke, A., Liebsch, G., Sacher, M., Schäfer, U., Ihde, J., Woodworth, P.L. (2015). Practical Aspects of the Unification of Height System Realizations in Europe. In: Rizos, C., Willis, P. (eds) IAG 150 Years. International Association of Geodesy Symposia, vol 143. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/1345_2015_168
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