Geodesy

The geoid measures mean sea level and gravity. The GRACE and GOCE satellites are providing the most accurate measurements of the geoid to this date.

If you’re serious about geocaching, than you’ve probably heard of benchmark hunting. A survey benchmark is a disk in the ground with a latitude & longitude.

The Magnetic North Pole is a point in Northern Canada where the northern lines of attraction enter the Earth. Compass needles point to the magnetic north.

Reference ellipsoids (ex. Clarke Ellipsoid) are smooth, mathematical models of the Earth’s shape. It has a semi-major and minor axis flattened at the poles.

A horizontal datum provides a reference frame for latitude and longitude coordinates on the Earth. A datum is constructed through surveys and triangulation.