When should geodesic measurements be utilized?

Geodesic measurements are particularly important for very large areas due to the Earth's curvature. When dealing with expansive land areas—such as in the context of large countries or significant geological features—straight-line measurements that assume a flat surface can lead to inaccuracies. Geodesic calculations consider the Earth as an ellipsoid, taking into account its shape and curvature, which provides more accurate distances and angles over long distances.

In contrast, for smaller, localized areas, the effects of curvature are minimal and a planar approach is typically adequate. Similarly, measuring straight lines or performing detailed surveys on a small scale does not usually require the complexities of geodesic measurements, as the impact of Earth's curvature can generally be ignored. Therefore, utilizing geodesic measurements is essential for ensuring accurate representations and calculations in extensive geographic contexts.