WEBVTT

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Every day,
we need to know where we are

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and how to get where we need to go.

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But did you ever stop to think
just how we know where “here” is,

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and how the technology we rely on
gets us “there”?

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It's all thanks to geodesy:

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the science of measuring
where things are on Earth

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and how those locations change over time.

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It starts with reference points—

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physical markers placed in the ground
all over the U.S.

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There are over a million of them!
And NOAA keeps track of them all.

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You’ve probably walked by one without noticing.

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In the past, surveyors would leapfrog
across the entire country,

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measuring the exact location
of each marker.

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Now, many of those markers are automated,

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continuously receiving signals
from GPS satellites

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to compute their precise locations.

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By knowing where all those markers are,
GPS tells us precisely where we are

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and how to get where we need to go.

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But it's not that simple.

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Earth itself is always changing—
from shifting tectonic plates

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to sinking land
to changing water levels and tides.

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So, NOAA's geodesists are always measuring.

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Part scientists, part engineers,
and part detectives,

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geodesists study the shape and movement
of the Earth

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and measure positions
with great precision.

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Look around you.

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So many things in our modern world
are made possible by geodesy.

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And the system is always improving,
with geodesists being able to measure

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even more of Earth's changes
and with more precision than ever before.

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And that's more important now than ever ...

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Trying to navigate a busy street
on your way to the grocery store?

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Geodesy helps
you get there quickly and safely.

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That farmer
trying to grow as much food as they can?

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They're using geodesy to save water
and fertilizer,

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applying them to crops
exactly where needed.

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That means a more resilient and reliable
food supply at your local grocery store.

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That package you ordered online?

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It likely passed under bridges
with only feet to spare.

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NOAA's systems work together—
measuring tides and bridge clearance,

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all tied to a common reference—

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so ships can carry
more cargo and travel safely through port.

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Worried about flooding where you live?

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Geodesists measure slight differences
in Earth's gravity to better understand

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the shape of the planet.

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This information helps support
more accurate flood maps

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to keep you and your community safe.

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Lost or injured on a hike?

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Geodesy helps responders coordinate faster
to reach you in an emergency.

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Geodesy:

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It's the invisible utility that supports
and connects everything around you.

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And homes, buildings,
even entire cities ...

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They exist
thanks to the work of geodesists.

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Because modern life
depends on knowing exactly where “here” is.

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♪