DEM-induced errors in developing a quasi-geoid model for Africa

Errors in digital elevation models (DEMs) will introduce errors in geoid and quasi-geoid models, via their use in interpolating free-air gravity anomalies and (in the case of the quasi-geoid) their use in computing the Molodensky G ₁ term. The effects of these errors and those of datum shifts are assessed using three independent DEMs for a test region in South Africa. It is shown that these effects are significant and that it is important to choose the best-possible DEM for use in geoid and quasi-geoid modelling. Acknowledgments.The land gravity data used for this research were provided by the South African Council for Geoscience. Marine gravity anomalies were provided by the Danish National Survey and Cadastre (Kort & Matrikelstyrelsen). The GLOBE DEM was provided by the US National Geophysical Data Centre, and the CDSM DEM was provided by the South African Chief Directorate for Surveying and Mapping. The constructive comments of the reviewers are gratefully acknowledged.