CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

Which survey type can be conducted over small areas without worrying about the Earth's shape?

1. Control Surveying

2. Geodetic Surveying

3. Plane Surveying

4. Cadastral Surveying

The correct answer is: Plane Surveying

Plane surveying is the correct choice because it operates under the assumption that the Earth's surface is flat for small areas. This simplification is valid when working over limited distances, allowing for relatively easy calculations and measurements without taking the curvature of the Earth into account. In practice, plane surveying uses horizontal and vertical angle measurements, along with distances, to determine positions without needing to adjust for the Earth's shape. This makes it ideal for projects like property surveys or small construction sites. Other survey types, while important in their contexts, are not based on this flat-earth assumption. Control surveying typically requires precise control points that account for the Earth's curvature, which is crucial for larger survey areas. Geodetic surveying, on the other hand, is specifically designed to measure large areas and requires consideration of the Earth's elliptical shape. Cadastral surveying focuses on property boundaries and involves legal considerations; while it may sometimes be conducted over small areas, it is still more complex compared to the straightforward approach of plane surveying.