Geoid determination with density hypotheses from isostatic models and geological information

Abstract.

 Geoid determination by Stokes's formula requires a complete knowledge of the topographical mass density distribution in order to perform gravity reductions to the geoid boundary. However, deeper masses are also of interest, in order to produce a smooth field of gravity anomalies which will improve results from interpolation procedures. Until now, in most cases a constant mass density has been considered, which is a very rough approximation of reality. The influence on the geoid height coming from different mass density hypotheses given by the isostatic models of Pratt/Hayford, Airy/Heiskanen and Vening Meinesz is studied. Apart from a constant mass density value, additional density information deduced from geological maps and thick sedimentary layers is considered. An overview of how mass density distributions act within Stokes's theory is given. The isostatic models are considered in spherical and planar approximation, as well as with constant and lateral variable mass density of the topographical and deeper masses. Numerical results in a test area in south-west Germany show that the differences in the geoid height due to different density hypotheses can reach a magnitude of more than 1 decimetre, which is not negligible in a precise geoid determination with centimetre accuracy.