Historical Structuring and Technological Evolution of the National Geodetic Network of Chile - Horizontal

Abstract

The Military Geographic Institute (IGM) was set up in accordance with the Decree Law N°1.664 of the 29th of August, 1922 and is currently the official technical and permanent service of the State, in all geographic matters, in compliance with the second point of Article N.° 2 of Law N.° 15284 of 1963. Among the most important of its tasks is the mission of providing a Reference Frame in accordance with the requirements of the international standards of each epoch, for the production of geo-referenced information. The National Geodesic Network (RGN in Spanish initials) has been the reference frame for all geodesic and cartographic activities and portrayals over time. It is made up of geodesic points set up at strategic locations across and along this territory, measured and calculated by this Institute; these have plane, geographic and altitude coordinate values. Currently, the horizontal component of the SIRGAS-Chile RGN consists of a set of Continuous Operation Reference Stations (CORS), providing daily GNSS data and official coordinates for the various uses of national development.

Chile, due to its special geographic situation, arising from its location and its long, narrow, and elongated territory has had to adopt, over time, various geodesic reference systems in accordance with the requirements of international organisations that support and promote geodesy. Moreover, since 1922, these reference systems have evolved due to substantial progress in technology, defining a RGN that is modern and precise at this time.