Field Notes Archives
Close Enough for Government Work
Image above: High-tension measurement: Credit NOAA National Geodetic Survey. We have all heard it, most likely have even said it. I have. And we probably meant it as a negative, implying sloppy work. However, researching the origin of the saying revealed that it was born during World War II and meant excellence, as in: if […]
Preserving History, One Monument at a Time
From editor Scott Martin: The original purpose of this guest article by Michael McGee, PLS, et al, was to protect the integrity of this historical monument and its position, which were imperiled by plans to make improvements to the Washington Square Park. Michael and several others, including Dave Doyle, NGS retired geodetic surveyor, quickly researched […]
You Make the Call
Even if you aren’t a football fan, or a sports fan in general, you likely still heard something about the very controversial “non-call” of a penalty in the recent NFC championship game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams. It occurred in the last minutes of the game and very likely cost […]
A Millennial’s View of Land Surveying
Introduction by Field Notes editor, Scott Martin. Thank you, Anthony, for stating what we all need to hear. From mentoring, to degree requirements, to continuing education, to understanding the fundamental principles of technology, you hit all the major elements of what is needed—or not needed—to “save” our noble profession. We, being licensed professionals, NCEES, NSPS, state associations, […]
The “Ah Ha” Moments, Part 2
Last month I wrote of two “Ah Ha” moments early in my career: situations where the “light came on” from a surveying experience, even if the value of the moment wasn’t fully understood at the time. In this issue, I share a couple more: where a practical application cemented abstract concepts and where a lack […]
Shake, Rattle & Roll: Disruptions to the Geodetic Fabric
On July 4, 2019 the desert region near Ridegcrest, California was hit with a magnitude 6.4 earthquake, resulting in minor damage in the area, most significantly to the infrastructure at the Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake. Approximately 44 hours later on July 6th, a larger earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck the region, causing […]