Yet more evidence for a north-south slope in the Australian height datum

Abstract

The results here add to the body of evidence for a systematic north-south error in the Australian Height Datum (AHD). Previous studies based solely on Global Positioning System (GPS) and a gravimetric geoid model have suffered from the 'inseparability problem', where it is not possible to discriminate between errors in the AHD and geoid. Instead, this study compares horizontal gradients of the AUSGeoid98 regional gravimetric geoid model with totally independent astrogeodetically observed vertical deflections at 741 Laplace stations across Australia. These comparisons do not show any significant latitude-dependent residuals, thus significantly reducing the likelihood of a north-south slope in AUSGeoid98. Subsequently using GPS and AUSGeoid98, now that the inseparability problem has been addressed, there is very compelling evidence for a real north-south slope of ~1.5m in the AHD.