Geodesy and Global Navigation Satellite Systems for Mean Sea Level Height Determination in Oman

Abstract

This paper presents the estimation of Mean Sea Level (MSL) heights across Oman using Geodesy and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) techniques. Static GNSS data were collected using a Leica Viva Geosensor GS14 receiver with a CS15 Field Controller. The receiver was connected to the Oman Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) Network, under the control of the National Survey and Geospatial Information Authority (NSGIA) and provided centimeter-level positioning accuracy. The CORS network uses Global Positioning System (GPS) from the USA and Global'naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) satellite signals from Russia to establish coordinate solutions based on the Oman National Geodetic Datum 2017 (ONGD17) geodetic datum. Oman Geoid Model was used get the geoid separation (N) which is then used to convert the ellipsoidal heights obtained from GNSS to the orthometric heights for ten surveyed points. These values are then compared to MSL heights provided by NSGIA. The smallest difference was found to be 0.028cm, largest 7.40cm with an average difference of 2.05 cm and a standard deviation of 2.17cm. The results indicate that high-accuracy determination of MSL heights using GNSS techniques is technically achievable in Oman. This can be effectively accomplished by properly applying the highly accurate local geoid model developed by NSGIA to convert GNSS-derived ellipsoidal heights into reliable orthometric heights.