Fastmerke

Fastmerke is a term used in surveying and navigation to describe a fixed reference mark whose position is precisely known and kept stable for measurement and mapping purposes. These marks serve as control points within geodetic networks and as reference points for cadastral surveys, construction projects, and infrastructure maintenance. By tying measurements to a common reference, fastmerke help ensure consistency across maps and over time, and they enable detection of movement due to geological or environmental factors.

In addition to land surveying, similar fixed marks can function as navigational references in maritime contexts. Fixed beacons or markers provide stable points that support charting, positioning, and voyage planning, and they are typically recorded in official nautical documents with identifiers and coordinates.

Establishment and management of fastmerke are typically the responsibility of national or regional surveying authorities. Each mark receives a unique identifier, precise coordinates, and often an elevation. The physical marker can be a concrete monument, an embedded metal pin, or another durable installation, placed so that it remains observable and accessible for the long term. Data about fastmerke are stored in official registries and are periodically verified or updated through geodetic surveys.

Types of fastmerke include terrestrial benchmarks used in land surveying and maritime marks used for navigation. They may be part of a broader national geodetic or cadastral network and are essential for accurate mapping, construction planning, resource management, and legal land boundaries. In Norway, for example, national authorities maintain registers of fastmerke to support precise positioning and map production.