Geoid model validation and topographic bias

Abstract Recently a number of geoid campaigns were performed to verify different types of geoid and quasigeoid modeling techniques. Typically, GNSS-leveling was employed as an independent method, but in some cases zenith camera astronomic deflection data were also used in astrogeodetic determinations of the geoid and/or quasigeoid. However, due to the uncertainty in the topographic density distribution data (and thereby in orthometric heights), we conclude that neither GNSS-leveling nor astrogeodetic techniques can reliably verify differences between gravimetric geoid models at several centimeter levels in rough mountainous regions. This is because much the same topographic data are used both in the gravimetric geoid models and in their verifications by geometric and/or astrogeodetic geoid models. On the contrary, this is not a problem in verifying gravimetric quasigeoid models, as they are independent of the topographic density distribution, and so is the related normal height used in GNSS-leveling.