höhenkoordinate

Höhenkoordinate, also known as vertical coordinate or elevation, refers to a value that specifies the vertical position of a point relative to a reference datum. In surveying and geodesy, this datum is typically the mean sea level or a similar established geoid. It is a crucial component of any three-dimensional coordinate system, alongside horizontal coordinates like latitude and longitude or X and Y coordinates.

The unit of measurement for höhenkoordinate is usually meters or feet, depending on the local standard. Different types of höhenkoordinate exist, including height above sea level (orthometric height) and height relative to an ellipsoid (ellipsoidal height). Orthometric height is generally more practical for everyday use as it reflects the height of water surfaces. Ellipsoidal height is derived directly from GNSS measurements and requires a geoid model to convert to orthometric height.

Accurate höhenkoordinate are essential for a wide range of applications. These include engineering projects like bridge and building construction, hydrological studies for flood control, topographic mapping, and navigation systems. The precision of höhenkoordinate is directly influenced by the accuracy of the surveying equipment and the chosen reference datum.