A note on geographical systems and maps of Montserrat

It is often critically important that geospatial data are measured and mapped accurately, particularly for quantitative analyses and numerical modelling applications. Defining a geographical coordinate system requires a non-unique combination of geodetic techniques (e.g. ellipsoids, projections and...

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Main Authors: Odbert, Henry M., Grebby, Stephen
Other Authors: Wadge, G.
Format: Article
Published: Geological Society 2014
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/33875/
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author Odbert, Henry M.
Grebby, Stephen
author2 Wadge, G.
author_facet Wadge, G.
Odbert, Henry M.
Grebby, Stephen
author_sort Odbert, Henry M.
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description It is often critically important that geospatial data are measured and mapped accurately, particularly for quantitative analyses and numerical modelling applications. Defining a geographical coordinate system requires a non-unique combination of geodetic techniques (e.g. ellipsoids, projections and geoids). The choice of geographical system presents scope for ambiguity and confusion about geographical data, especially those archived without appropriate metadata. Experience has shown that these confusions have been a repeating source of either frustration or inadvertent error for those using geographical data from Montserrat. This is, in part, probably due to common usage of multiple datums and the existence of numerous topographical datasets recorded during the past 150 years. Here, we attempt to provide a brief introduction to geodetic principles and their application to Montserrat geographical data. The differences between common datums are illustrated and we describe variations in magnetic declination as they apply to field use of magnetic instruments. We include a record of the source of the large-scale mapping datasets that have been used and analysed ubiquitously in the literature. The descriptions here are intended as an introductory reference resource for those using geographical data from Montserrat.
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spelling nottingham-338752020-05-04T20:17:29Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/33875/ A note on geographical systems and maps of Montserrat Odbert, Henry M. Grebby, Stephen It is often critically important that geospatial data are measured and mapped accurately, particularly for quantitative analyses and numerical modelling applications. Defining a geographical coordinate system requires a non-unique combination of geodetic techniques (e.g. ellipsoids, projections and geoids). The choice of geographical system presents scope for ambiguity and confusion about geographical data, especially those archived without appropriate metadata. Experience has shown that these confusions have been a repeating source of either frustration or inadvertent error for those using geographical data from Montserrat. This is, in part, probably due to common usage of multiple datums and the existence of numerous topographical datasets recorded during the past 150 years. Here, we attempt to provide a brief introduction to geodetic principles and their application to Montserrat geographical data. The differences between common datums are illustrated and we describe variations in magnetic declination as they apply to field use of magnetic instruments. We include a record of the source of the large-scale mapping datasets that have been used and analysed ubiquitously in the literature. The descriptions here are intended as an introductory reference resource for those using geographical data from Montserrat. Geological Society Wadge, G. Robertson, R. E. A. Voight, B. 2014 Article PeerReviewed Odbert, Henry M. and Grebby, Stephen (2014) A note on geographical systems and maps of Montserrat. Memoirs, 39 . pp. 489-494. ISSN 2041-4722 http://mem.lyellcollection.org/content/39/1/489 doi:10.1144/M39.27 doi:10.1144/M39.27
spellingShingle Odbert, Henry M.
Grebby, Stephen
A note on geographical systems and maps of Montserrat
title A note on geographical systems and maps of Montserrat
title_full A note on geographical systems and maps of Montserrat
title_fullStr A note on geographical systems and maps of Montserrat
title_full_unstemmed A note on geographical systems and maps of Montserrat
title_short A note on geographical systems and maps of Montserrat
title_sort note on geographical systems and maps of montserrat
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/33875/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/33875/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/33875/