The Free Air Geoid as a Solution of the Boundary Value Problem

Summary The assumptions made in solving the boundary value problem are critically examined and revised expressions derived for the complete definition of the non-regularized geoid to the order of the flattening. The free air geoid is shown to be a good approximation to the non-regularized geoid. The relation between regularized geoids and the non-regularized geoid is established and the latter is shown to be no more difficult to compute than any regularized geoid. Expressions are developed for the computation of the height anomaly from free air anomalies and elevations to the order of the flattening. The significance of the zero order term is examined and its implications in assigning revised values for the parameters defining the reference system are examined.