|
Become A Marker Sleuth™ |
Most Wanted List |
Markers On Deck |
FAQs
Prepared by Betty Green Risser, Founder and Owner of Geographic Locations International
Q. What are the different types of survey marks?
A. Bench marks, triangulation, reference, azimuth, magnetic, seismic. We will be dealing mostly with the first three.
Q. What is the difference between a bench mark and a triangulation station mark?
A. Bench marks are positions of precise measurements of vertical and horizontal (elevation & lat/lon); Triangulation station marks are positions of precise lat/lon and less precise elevation. A bench mark disk will state BENCH MARK or B.M. and have an area where the surveyor can stamp the elevation and place name. A triangulation station does not have elevation but may be stamped with a place name. Both serve as triangulation stations. That is, from that precise position, survey instruments are set up, and points on the horizon are measured.
Q. What is a reference mark?
A. These disks state REFERENCE MARK and have an arrow. They are "set" (survey term) to point in the direction of the primary mark. There can be 3-5 of these marks at a site. Sometimes a primary mark has been destroyed and a resurvey may establish a reference mark as a primary mark. In addition to fixed monuments (disks) there may be painted triangles and squares with center dots or arrows, and drill holes used as survey positions.
Q. Which do you want me to photograph?
A. The superior mark for my purpose is a bench mark, stamped with the place name and elevation. (Which, of course, is not always the case!) If there is only a triangulation station mark, photograph it and send it. If the primary mark is missing and there are only reference marks, photograph these. I will add the elevation, thereby creating a mark “fashioned after” the original mark. When in doubt, photograh all!
Q. If I send you a photo of a mark, will it be produced as pewter gifts?
A. If we determine that many others want that location’s mark, we will produce it when feasible. If it is a mark of low interest in general but of special interest to you, ask about our custom services.
Q. I have a photo of a mark at a well-known and highly visited location. However, the mark does not have the place name stamped on it. Are you still interested in having it?
A. Yes. If it is a well-known and highly visited location, we would produce it with the missing elements.
Q. Are you interested only in summit marks?
A. No. I am interested in marks at many significant sites—caves, light houses, important engineering sites, etc.
Q. Are you interested only in US sites?
A. To date I have only one international site—Mount Everest. I am interested in country high points. I need help in learning more about how other countries mark the elevations of their high points. Contact me if you can help.
Q. My favorite location is still on the On Deck list. When will it be available?
A. You’ve been patient! Please use this website to let us know which ones should be next. Talk to your climbing and hiking companions. Get together and “vote” by writing to me: Subject: Marks on Deck
Disclaimer: While I have learned quite a bit about the subject of survey marks, I am self-taught. If you are in disagreement about the information here, I welcome your comments.
|
