Struve Geodetic Arc, Triangulation network in Northern Europe.
The Struve Geodetic Arc is a chain of surveying points that stretches from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, spanning a total of 2,821 kilometers (1,754 miles). The 265 measurement points are marked with geodetic monuments containing precise coordinate data and are distributed across several present-day countries.
Between 1816 and 1855, astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve established this measurement chain to determine the exact size and shape of Earth. The project emerged when precise measurement of the Earth's surface had become crucial for navigation and mapping.
The network emerged from scientific collaboration between multiple European nations in the 19th century, marking a turning point in international cooperation on large-scale surveying projects. The preserved measurement points tell of an era when surveying was hands-on work and countries undertook this task together.
The measurement points are spread across multiple countries and can be explored independently, with some located in remote areas. Plan for varying access conditions depending on the region and inquire locally about the exact location of each monument.
The measurements revealed that Earth flattens at the poles, fundamentally changing how scientists understood the planet's shape. This finding was revolutionary for the science of the time and confirmed theoretical predictions.
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