Improvement of the geoid model over Japan using integral formulae and combination of GGMs

An improved high-resolution gravimetric geoid model covering the four main islands of Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu) was developed on a 1 × 1.5 arc-minute grid from EGM2008, GOCO02S/EGM2008, and terrestrial gravity data. A modified form of the Stokes-Helmert scheme was applied for the determination of the geoid using an empirically determined optimal spherical cap size. Handling of the topographical effects on gravity was accomplished using the integral formulae of Martinec and Vaníček, which were found to be more suitable for geoid modeling over Japan than the classical formulae. EGM2008 was used in Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu Islands, whereas a combination of GOCO02S and EGM2008 was used in Shikoku Island and its immediate surroundings. The global geopotential models (GGMs) used in this study were chosen based on our earlier evaluation of the performance of EGM2008and GOCE-related GGMs in Japan. In comparison with the previous geoid model for Japan, our new model shows an improvement in the standard deviation from ±8.3 to ±7.5 cm.