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TITLE:
What Does Height Really Mean? Part III: Height Systems

AUTHOR(S):
Thomas H. Meyer, University of Connecticut Department of Natural Resources Management and Engineering
Daniel R. Roman, National Geodetic Survey
David B. Zilkoski, National Geodetic Suvey

DOCUMENT TYPE: Article

Published in Surveying and Land Information Science, Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 149-160.
See Part I and Part II of this four-part series.

ABSTRACT:
This is the third paper in a four-part series considering the fundamental question, “what does the word “height” really mean?” The first paper reviewed reference ellipsoids and mean sea level datums. The second paper reviewed the physics of heights culminating in a simple development of the geoid and explained why mean sea level stations are not all at the same orthometric height. This third paper develops the principle notions of height, namely measured, differentially deduced changes in elevation, orthometric heights, Helmert orthometric heights, normal orthometric heights, dynamic heights, and geopotential numbers. We conclude with a more in-depth discussion of current thoughts regarding the geoid.

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