The Global Positioning System (GPS) and its use in geophysical exploration

Abstract

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based positioning and navigation system that offers 24-hour, world-wide, three-dimensional positioning. Single point GPS positioning yields coordinates accurate to ±100 m, which are adequate for large-scale, low-accuracy applications. To achieve higher accuracy positioning, relative or differential GPS (D.GPS) is employed, which uses two or more GPS receivers simultaneously. Most geophysical exploration methods must be positioned using this approach, especially those that require subsequent data reduction or processing. The currently available GPS methodologies, their accuracy and suitability for positioning during geophysical exploration, are summarised. Finally, in order to integrate GPS-positioned data with existing data, coordinate transformations are necessary.