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Geodetic measurements in the Himalayas and new determination of the height of Mount K2

G. Poretti, F. J. Lohmar, R. Puruckherr, C. Marchesini, A. Beinat, M. Eckardt and A. Marchesini

Abstract: 

In July-August 1996 GPS measurements along the profile from Skardu to Askole and to the K2 Base Camp were performed. Along the route gravity and deflections of the vertical were measured. In the K2 Base Camp Area, across the Godwin Austen glacier a base geodetic network was established with points on bedrock and on the moving glacier surface. A tripod with a sight target and two reflecting prisms was installed at the top of K2 in order to measure angles and distances from the points of the base network to the summit. Meteorological observations were performed to determine the atmospheric refraction coefficient. Taking into account the movements of the glacier it was possible to link the summit of Mt. K2 to the trigonometric network of Pakistan and to the IGS network improving the accuracy of the height of the mountain compared with the previous measurements.