The new gravimetric quasigeoid model KTH08 over Sweden

The least squares modification of Stokes formula has been developed in a series of papers published in Journal of Geodesy between 1984 and 2008. It consists of a least squares (stochastic) Stokes kernel modification with additive corrections for the topography, downward continuation, the atmosphere and the ellipsoidal shape of the Earth. The method, developed at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) will here be denoted by the abbreviated name the KTH method. This paper presents the computational results of a new gravimetric quasigeoid model over Sweden (the KTH08 model) by employing the KTH method. Traditionally the Nordic Geodetic Commission (NKG) has computed gravimetric quasigeoid models over Sweden and other Nordic countries; the latest model being NKG 2004. Another aim of this paper is therefore to compare KTH08 and NKG 2004 quasigeoid models and to evaluate their accuracies using GNSS/levelling height anomalies. The rms fit of KTH08 in 196 GNSS data points distributed over Sweden by using a 1(4)-parameter transformation is 22 (20) mm. It is concluded that KTH08 is a significant step forward compared to NKG 2004.