Development of Gravimetric Geoid over Peninsular Malaysia using the Most Recent Global Geopotential Model

The geoid, encompassing Earth’s surface, oceans, and gravitational field, plays a pivotal role in shaping elevations, form, and mass distribution on the geopotential surface—a theoretical plane perpendicular to gravity’s direction at each point. This surface serves as a benchmark for elevation measurements and holds significance as a fundamental reference for geodetic and surveying applications. This research employs the Least Squares Modification of Stokes Formula (LSMS) with Additive Corrections (AC), commonly known as the KTH method, to create a novel gravimetric geoid model for Peninsular Malaysia. Originating from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden, the KTH method utilizes the latest global digital elevation model, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 1 Arc-Second Global. The dataset integrates the Global Geopotential Model (GGM), comprising WHU-SWPU-GOGR2022S model, alongside regional gravity data, including terrestrial, airborne, and marine gravity anomalies from the Sandwell open-source website. Additionally, 45 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-leveling points are compared against the official gravimetric geoid model for Malaysia. Statistical analyses reveal WHU-SWPU-GOGR2022S has superior accuracy, boasting a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for geoid model errors of ±0.035m. Conclusively, WHU-SWPU-GOGR2022S emerges as a promising GGM for accurately determining a local geoid model for Peninsular Malaysia.