GPS Tripod for Monitoring Land Motion

A GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Receiver mounted atop a GPS (Global Positioning System) tripod for use in a geodetic survey on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Geodetic Surveying is the measurement of land surface location and elevation. USGS scientists use optical leveling equipment and highly accurate GPS tripods to measure elevation. The GPS tripods record data over the course of many days during a survey to ensure maximum accuracy. By surveying the same benchmarks year after year, we can track changes in surface elevation.