What is curvature correction in surveying?

Curvature correction in surveying refers specifically to the adjustment made to account for the Earth's curvature when measuring distances over long lengths. As the Earth is not flat but curved, when surveyors measure horizontal distances, particularly over large areas, the curvature can lead to discrepancies in height and position.

When calculating the elevation differences or plotting points in surveys, failing to apply curvature correction can result in inaccurate data. This is particularly significant in geodetic surveys where the distances involved can be extensive, and the curvature effect becomes more pronounced. Thus, applying this correction ensures that the calculations reflect a more accurate representation of the true ground.

While other options might pertain to aspects of surveying, they don't directly address the specific nature of curvature correction, which is fundamentally about compensating for the spherical shape of the Earth in measurements.