Poster D Implication for Earth Sciences 245

The Indonesian Gravity Field and the Geoid Model

A. KASENDA, A.M. KOMARA, S. SUTISNA 1

Abstract
The Indonesian geoid model (INDGED96) has been con-
structed from the Indonesian gravity database of 5' grid
interval. The accuracy of the geoid height is considered poor
in some areas due to the lack of high resolution gravity data
in the areas. In order to improve the geoid model, additional
gravity data must be performed. Since the data gaps occur
mostly in mountainous remote areas, performing terrestrial
observation will be very time consuming. In this case, imple-
menting airborne gravimetry is an alternative to accelerate the
data acquisition. However, the accuracy ofthe airborne derived
gravity data used for geophysical exploration purposes might
not be suitable for the precise geoid determination. A case
study of the airborne gravity data aimed at hydrocarbon
allocation in Irian Jaya used to calculate the geoid height is
undertaken. The preliminary result is presented.
1. Introduction
The Indonesian archipelagic country consists of 17 546
islands cover the area of more than 7 200 000 square kilo-
meters. The determination ofthe geoid with high accuracy
and resolution is required towards the unification of the
national height system.
The Indonesian geoid model ever constructed was based
on the existing land and marine gravity data combined with
the earth potential model of OSU91A.
and Surnatera are better than in the other islands. This is
due to the fact that the existing gravity data in Jawa and
Surnatera are denser.
In order to improve the geoid, it is required to fill the gaps
especially in Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya.
At present, the data gaps are mostly occurred in mountain-
ous terrain areas which covers by dense forest and jungle.
Therefore, filling the gaps by means ofterrestrial measure-
ments would be very expensive and time consuming. How-
ever, the airborne technique can offer the opportunity to
cover the remote and rugged areas in relatively shorter time.
2. The Indonesian Gravity Field
The Indonesian gravity surveys was started back in 1930s
by Vening Meinesz which performed the pendulum survey
in the Indonesian waters. Since then many gravity surveys
were made aiming at locating structures related to hydrocar-
bon and mineral resources as well as for scientific purposes.
An attempt to compile all the existing data is to produce
a regional Indonesian gravity database. An integration of
marine and land was the first priority in order to produce
a comprehensive database. The land data, however are very
scattered and based on the various references.

The computation was performed by using the remove-
restore technique. The accuracy of the resulted geoid is
uneven across the area. By comparison to the geometric
geoid computed in several control points available in J awa,
Sumatera, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya, the agreements in Jawa
In 1994 the primary Indonesian gravity database was
constructed. Around 250 600 points of land surveys and
150000 points of marine measurements are gridded in to
5' interval produced a data set of 136000 points.

5.00

0.00

-5 .00

-10.00
95.00 100.00 105.00 110.00 115.00 120.00 125.00 130.00 135.00 140.00

Fig.l : The Indonesian Gravity Data

A. Kasenda, A. M. Komara, S. Sutisna: National Coordination Agency for Surveys and mapping (BAKOSURT ANAL), n. Raya Bogor, KM-46 Cibinong,
Indonesia; Tel.: +62-21-8754654, Fax:+62-21-8752064, e-mailsobar@cbn.net.id

R. Rummel et al. (eds.), Towards an Integrated Global Geodetic Observing System (IGGOS)
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000
 246 Implication for Earth Sciences PosterD

3. The Indonesian Geoid Model
The Indonesian regional geoid model known as the
INDGED96 was constructed based on the gravity database
of 5' grid interval. The undulation was computed by using
the earth coefficients potential model of OSU91A as a
reference to compute the medium to long wavelength
component of the geoid, whereas the short wavelength
component was calculated from the residual gravity anoma-
lies. The result varies from 42.5 to 77.5 meters over the area
with various accuracy across the country. By comparison
with the geometric geoid in several GPSlLeveling control
points available in major islands such as Jawa, Sumatera
and Sulawesi it is showed that the relative comparison in
Jawa and Suamtera are better than in Sulawesi. This is due
to the fact that the original gravity data distribution in Jawa
and Sumateraislands are better as compare to the data over
Sulawesi island.
In orderto fulfill the need of better geoid across the Indone-
sian area, densification of the gravity data is urgent.
In line with the exploration program of aimed at inventing
the natural resources in Indonesia, the National Oil Com-
pany has applied airborne gravimetry to undertake a
systematic geophysical mapping in eastern part of Indone-
sia. Upon successfully completion of these works, it is
planned to extend the measurementto the area ofless dense
of the data.

, , , , , ,
95 .0 100.0 105 .0 110.0 115.0 120.0 125 .0 140.0

longitude

Fig.2 : The Indonesian Geoid Model

In conjunction with that, the in corning airborne gravity data References:

can be used to update the geoid model with better coverage
of gravity data. Prior to this plan, an initial test of using
airborne gravity data was conducted to construct the local
geoid model of the Lengguru area in Irian Jaya. The mean
deviation from the INDGED96 model over the respective
area is 0.45 meterwiththermsdeviationof2.2. The relative
accuracy is determined by comparing the airborne geoid
to the geometric geoid which is planned to re-measure the
Doppler/APR points in this area by GPS observations.
This initial test result is expected to allow the gravity
anomalies derived from airborne technique aimed at
geophysical exploration to be used for updating the geoid
model of Indonesia.
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