Expanding and improving the Israeli geoid undulation model in the coastal area using nautical and shipborne GNSS measurements

Abstract

The geoid, an equipotential surface of Earth's gravity field, corresponds to the global mean sea level, linking ellipsoidal and orthometric heights. As reliance on GNSS grows, accurate geoid models for coastal and marine areas are increasingly needed. We propose using a single shipborne GNSS receiver and nautical measurements as a cost-effective solution for coastal geoid modeling. Correcting GNSS data for vessel dynamics, tidal effects, atmospheric variations, and sea surface topography enables the creation of a local costal geoid model. Applied to Haifa Bay cruises (2019–2021), this method integrates into Israel's geoid, achieving sub-3 cm accuracy in coastal zones.