An official website of the United States government.								Here's how you know we're official.				

##### dot gov icon**Official websites use .gov**

A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

##### https icon**Secure websites use HTTPS**

A small lock or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to a .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

National Ocean ServiceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

              -  Home 
              -  Ocean Facts 
              -  TOPICS ****                  - Explore All Topics
                - Careers
                - Economy
                - Ecosystems
                - Geodesy
                - Hazards
                - Navigation
                - Observations
                - Ocean
                - Recreation
                - Sea Level Rise 
                - Story Maps
                - Tools 
              -  Education 
              -  News 
              -  Podcasts 
              -  Video 
              -  Images 
              -  About Us 

HomeAboutNOS Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report

# National Geodetic Survey

## NOS Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report

## ‘Topo-bathy’ LIDAR Collected in Sandy Impact Areas

            -  **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience 

In FY 14, in response to post-tropical cyclone Sandy, NOAA’s National  Geodetic Survey collected more than 2,600 square miles of near-shore light  detection and ranging (LIDAR) data to improve coastal mapping. The data were acquired  through a combination of contract and in-house resources using state-of-the-art  topographic bathymetric (topo-bathy) LIDAR sensors. The sensors are able to  penetrate the surface to a depth of 10 meters. In addition to being used to  update the shoreline on nautical charts in Sandy-impacted  areas, the data will also be used by federal and state agencies, universities,  and others for coastal zone planning, emergency response, and coastal resilience efforts. Contracts and  the new sensor were procured through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act  of 2013 in support of navigation services for coastal states affected by Sandy.

----

## Airborne Gravity Data Collected in Response to Sandy

            -  **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience 

In FY 14, in response to post-tropical cyclone Sandy,  the National Geodetic Survey's Gravity for the  Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) Project collected airborne gravity data covering the East Coast  from Maine to North Carolina. The geographically continuous data set collected  in the surveys will allow NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey to produce more accurate  models of heights above sea level, which is of significant benefit to the East  Coast. When complete, the improved elevations from GRAV-D products will provide  an estimated $4.8 billion in cost savings to the nation. Much of this work was funded  through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act  of 2013.

----

## NOAA Releases Experimental Geoid Model

            -  **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence 

In June 2014, NOAA’s National  Geodetic Survey released a new experimental geoid height model called xGEOID14B, which spans  one-quarter of the Earth’s surface. The model represents a significant step  toward defining a new regional vertical datum and contributing to a worldwide height system. Covering Hawaii,  Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. mainland and incorporating satellite,  airborne, and surface gravity data, the new geoid was tested by surveyors,  engineers, geographic information specialists, and others interested in  defining accurate heights. NOAA collaborated with Canada, Mexico, Central  American and Caribbean nations, and Denmark (for Greenland) to provide the  unified height model. It has already improved forecasters’ ability to predict the  effects of storm surge, and will be used for a variety of scientific,  engineering, disaster mitigation, and emergency response purposes.

----

## Geoid Validation Slope Survey of 2014

            -  **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience 

NOAA’s Geoid Slope Validation Survey of 2014 commenced in **June 2013** with a National  Geodetic Survey field crew setting approximately 200 official survey benchmarks  in Iowa along U.S. Route 30. The survey line extended approximately 200 miles,  from Denison to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Field observations, including leveling, GPS,  gravity, and astrometric surveys, began in **May  2014**and concluded in September 2014. 

Data collected from the  survey will be used to evaluate the accuracy of a new gravity-based geoid model. The model, which is used to determine mean sea level and  the direction of water flow, is an important component in creating the next-generation  vertical datum. The survey is the  second in a series of three large test projects to validate the new  gravity-based geoid model and the new vertical datum, which are scheduled for  release in 2022.

----

## NOAA Completes Survey of the Washington Monument

            -  **Supports NOS priority**: place-based conservation 

When the Washington  Monument sustained damage from a 2011 earthquake in central Virginia, NOAA’s National  Geodetic Survey began a project determine the monument’s accurate height. The survey made  headlines and several news agencies interviewed the NGS chief geodesist and other  surveyors. Final results of the survey are pending final review by the U.S.  Park Service.

----

###### **NGS** Top Five:

            - ** ‘Topo-bathy’ LIDAR Collected in Sandy Impact Areas
            - ** Aerial Gravity Data Collected in Response to Sandy
            - ** NOAA Releases Experimental Geoid Model
            - ** Geoid Validation Slope Survey of 2014
            - ** NOAA Completes Survey of the Washington Monument

###### **NOS Accomplishments**

          -  Fiscal Year 2014 Highlights
          - Browse by  Priority :
          -  Coastal Resilience Priority
          -  Coastal Intelligence Priority
          -  Place-Based Conservation Priority
          - Browse by  Office :
          -  Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services Integrated Ocean Observing System
 National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
 YOU ARE HERE: 
 National Geodetic Survey
 NOS Education
 Office for Coastal Management
 Office of Coast Survey
 Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
 Office of Response and Restoration
- Provide Feedback 
-  Contact Us 
-  Report an error 
Science. Service.Stewardship.						About NOS 					- About Us
- NOS Program Offices
- Media Inquiries
- Website Acknowledgements
						Resources 					- Site Index
- Disclaimer
- Freedom of Information Act
- Accessibility
						More Resources 					- Information Quality
- Privacy Policy
- NOS For Employees
- USA.gov
-  National Ocean Service
-  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
-  Department of Commerce
						Social 					- 
- 
- 
- 
-