UNIGRACE-a project for the unification of gravity systems in Central Europe

Because of the present trends of political and economical unification in Europe formerIy classified gravimetric data in CentraI Europe are becoming avaiIabIe. The differences, however, between gravity systems in this area are so Iarge that they strongly affect the geoid, vertical datum definitions and height systems. It is therefore mandatory to study system differences and to unify them. The project UNIGRACE aims at solving this problem by carrying out absoIute gravity measurements with the most advanced technoIogy at 17 selected sites in the countries concerned. In a joint effort five European groups from Austria, Finland, Germany, Italy and Poland using their absoIute gravimeters and partners from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and SIovenia cooperate in seIecting and70r estabIishing the sites and performing the measurements as weII as in connecting the absolute sites to the nationaI gravimetric networks. As a result, a unique gravity system in CentraI Europe wiII be available. The project started on Jan. 1, 1998. The first Working Conference took place in Frankfurt a.M. on Feb. 2-3, 1998. The European Commission is granting the project for 3 years.