The CARIB97 model is a high resolution gravimetric geoid height model covering the region 9-28N, 86-58W. It was computed in a cooperative effort with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) formerly known as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). All computations were performed in the ITRF94(1996.0) reference frame. The geoid heights are relative to a geocentric GRS-80 reference ellipsoid.
In the Caribbean area, geoid heights range from a low of -71.0 meters over the Puerto Rico trench (magenta) to a high of 17.1 meters (red) in Costa Rica.
The CARIB97 model is a gravimetric geoid height model. No attempt was made to incorporate GPS on levelled benchmarks for this model, and therefore CARIB97 is not suitable for direct conversion between NAD83 GPS ellipsoid heights and NAVD88 orthometric heights.
The CARIB97 geoid model has been designed specifically for the Caribbean Sea. Due to data coverage and computational issues, one will find offsets between CARIB97 and G96SSS in regions of overlap.
