Cave-Surveying digest, Vol 1 #61 - 4 msgs

[pnkambesis@juno.com]

I can only speak to the surveys (and maps) that I've been involved with on this (and these include quite a lot of survey and map making).  On my maps and on many other US maps that I've seen, the cartographer usually includes the survey method (ex. suunto compass, inclinometer and tape survey) on the map.  This does not imply anything about accuracy or precision.  However this does not mean that accuracy and precision are not important in many of these surveys. These are usually addressed in the survey standards of the project and that info is typically not included on the maps.  For all of my projects, we do backsites for quality control.  Compass and clino readings should agree within 1 degree and we do our best to make sure distance readings are good too (just by double checking).  We also put a lot of emphasis on high quality sketches that include profiles and cross sections in addition to the plan. The emphasis on good sketching is another element of quality control on the survey line.

Perhaps on the map the BCRA standards would be useful to include in addition to the survey method as this would indeed address accuracy and precision.  

Pat Kambesis  




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