Development and evolution of height systems in the context of SIRGAS: From the local vertical data to the International height reference frame

Abstract In America, height systems were established during the twentieth century by connecting the leveling network to a tide gauge. In 1997, the Geodetic Reference System for the Americas (former Geocentric Reference System for South America) created Working Group III, called Vertical Datum, to assist in establishing a unified vertical reference system for the Americas. In this context, this article aims to trace the evolution of height systems in America, especially South America, and present the current situation in the region to contribute to the International Height Reference Frame. A brief chronological description of the systems of South American countries and the efforts developed by Working Group III over the past 25 years is presented. A bibliometric study assesses the scientific community’s involvement in this field. The results revealed that some countries have been standing out in engagement in recent years. Finally, an evaluation is performed between recent global geopotential models and a regional gravity field model at the 17 stations that comprise the International Height Reference Frame in Latin America. The results indicate that the Andes region requires efforts in gravity densification and improvement of global models.