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Articles

Number 4 (2010)

From 19th Century to Present: Changes in Hydrographic Surveying Techniques and Determination of Sounding Accuracy

Submitted
August 13, 2013
Published
2010-12-12

Abstract

Calculation of morphological change between hydrographic surveys is marred by uncertainties, in particular when methods have changed. When examining estuarine evolution, an approximation of measurement errors is needed. An overview of the changing approaches since the 19th century is given to aid error estimation and subsequent comparison with modern surveys. Changes and errors in horizontal positioning, soundings and datums need to be considered when interpreting sediment gains and losses. As a case study, the derivation of error estimates for an 1845 and modern hydrographic dataset on the south-west coast of Ireland is described.