Determining peak altitude on maps, books and cartographic materials: Multidisciplinary implications

A co-authored paper contributed by CTR researcher, Prof. Joseph M. Cheer has been published in an open access journal, Remote Sensing.

 

Title

Determining peak altitude on maps, books and cartographic materials: Multidisciplinary implications

 

Authors

Kamil Maciuk, Department of Integrated Geodesy and Cartography, AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland

Michal Apollo, Department of Tourism and Regional Studies, Institute of Geography, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Cracow, Poland

Joseph M. Cheer, Center for Tourism Research, Wakayama University, Wakayama-city, Japan

Ond?ej Kone?ný, Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic

Krystian Kozio?, Department of Integrated Geodesy and Cartography, AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland

Jacek Kudrys, Department of Integrated Geodesy and Cartography, AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland

Joanna Mostowska, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

Marta Róg, Department of Integrated Geodesy and Cartography, AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland

Bogdan Skorupa, Department of Integrated Geodesy and Cartography, AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland

Stanis?aw Szombara, Department of Integrated Geodesy and Cartography, AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland

 

Source

Remote Sensing, 2021, 13(6), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13061111

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/6/1111

* Indexed in Scopus

Journal details: https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/86430

 

Abstract

Mountain peaks and their altitude have been of interest to researchers across disciplines. Measurement methods and techniques have changed and developed over the years, leading to more accurate measurements and, consequently, more accurate determination of peak altitudes. This research transpired due to the frequency of misstatements found in existing sources including books, maps, guidebooks and the Internet. Such inaccuracies have the potential to create controversy, especially among peak-baggers in pursuit of climbing the highest summits. The Polish Sudetes Mountains were selected for this study; 24 summits in the 14 mesoregions were measured. Measurements were obtained employing the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR), both modern and highly precise techniques. Moreover, to determine the accuracy of measurements, several of the summits were measured using a mobile phone as an additional method. We compare GNSS vs. LiDAR and verify the level of confidence of peak heights obtained by automatic methods from LiDAR data alone. The GNSS receiver results showed a discrepancy of approximately 10 m compared with other information sources examined. Findings indicate that the heights of peaks presented in cartographic materials are inaccurate, especially in lesser-known mountain ranges. Furthermore, among all the mountain ranges examined, the results demonstrated that five of the summits were no longer classed as the highest, potentially impacting tourist perceptions and subsequent visitation. Overall, due to the topographical relief characteristics and varying vegetation cover of mountains, we argue that the re-measuring procedure should comprise two steps: (1) develop high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) based on LiDAR; (2) assumed heights should be measured using precise GNSS receivers. Unfortunately, due to the time constraints and the prohibitive costs of GNSS, LiDAR continues to be the most common source of new altitude data.

 

Key words

altitude determination; cartography; GNSS; LiDAR; mountains