Story: Modern mapping and surveying

Measuring a baseline

Measuring a baseline

These surveyors are measuring part of the Eltham-Okaiawa baseline in Taranaki in 1910–1911. Measuring a baseline was often complicated by rough terrain. Here, the supports for the steel tape have been extended up to 15 feet (4.6 metres) in order to get a flat line across the gully. Once the bearing and measurement were recorded, the tape and supports would be taken down and moved to measure the next bay – a slow and laborious process.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-019458; C

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Melanie Lovell-Smith, 'Modern mapping and surveying - Geodetic triangulation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/18901/measuring-a-baseline (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by Melanie Lovell-Smith, published 24 Nov 2008, updated 1 Aug 2018