First results of Using Digital Density Data in Gravimetric Geoid Computation in Australia

Abstract

Previous Australian gravimetric geoid models have used the approximation of a constant topographic bulk density during their computation. However, this is unrealistic because the Australian continent is host to complicated geological structures, with many large contrasts in topographic density. Therefore, this paper presents the first results of the effect of using topographic bulk density data on gravimetric geoid computations over a well-controlled test area in Western Australia. This area has been chosen because there is a significant change in topographic bulk density along the Darling Fault, which can reach approximately 1,000kgm3.