European Terrestrial Reference System 1989

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The European Terrestrial Reference System 1989, usually referred to as ETRS89, is a three-dimensional geodetic frame of reference - a mapping coordinate system used as the standard high accuracy system for GPS in Europe.

It coincided with the World Geodetic System 1984 in 1989, hence the name, and is based on the same GRS80 ellipsoid. Unlike WGS84 or ITRS it is centred on Europe and diverges from them with the movements of the tectonic plates associated with this landmass. By the year 2000 the two co-ordinate systems differed by about 25cm, with the difference increasing by about 2.5 cm per year.[1]

It has been defined as connected to the stable part of the Eurasian plate and as identical to the ITRS at Epoch 1989.0 by the European subcommission of IAG (EUREF). ETRS89 is the EU-recommended frame of reference for geodata for Europe.

[edit] References

  1. ^ GPS and Positioning Services FAQ, Q1, UK Ordnance Survey, accessed 2007-11-25

[edit] External links

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