Overview
- NASA published the three‑dimensional geoide visualization on Saturday to illustrate how Earth's gravity field varies across the planet.
- The graphic does not show the planet's surface shape but an equipotential surface tied to gravity that is exaggerated about 7,000 to 10,000 times so tiny differences are visible.
- The model behind the image, GOCO06s, combines more than 1,000 million observations gathered over roughly 15 years by about 19 satellites, including the GRACE and GOCE missions.
- Colors mark relative gravity strength with red for slightly stronger attraction and blue for slightly weaker areas; the model shows extremes near +85 meters in Iceland and −106 meters in southern India relative to the geoide baseline.
- Scientists say the map improves precise sea‑level and water‑storage measurements, helps monitor glacier melt and groundwater change, and refines geodesy and satellite navigation because the gravity field itself shifts with moving masses such as oceans and freshwater.