What is a significant accuracy concern for NAD27?

Study for the GIS Professional Certification Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready for your certification!

The significant accuracy concern for NAD27 (North American Datum of 1927) is that it is less accurate farther from Meade's Ranch, Kansas, which is the central point of the datum. NAD27 is based on a geocentric model centered on Meade's Ranch, and the measurements and calculations used to define it were primarily localized around this point. Therefore, as one moves away from this central location, the positional accuracy diminishes due to the datum's reliance on older surveying practices and techniques that did not account for variations in the Earth's shape and size over large distances.

This centralization leads to significant discrepancies between the actual geodetic locations and the values predicted by NAD27, especially in remote areas or regions that are far removed from Meade's Ranch. In contrast, the more modern NAD83 (North American Datum of 1983) provides improved accuracy and consistency across the entire continent due to its geocentric approach and the use of GPS technology.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary concern regarding NAD27's accuracy. The datum is not designed to have a consistent accuracy across the country, nor is it limited to the west coast or varying regionally in each state in the way that option B suggests. Instead,

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy