A geodetic traverse commences at a point with a known azimuth, followed by which measurements?

In a geodetic traverse, the process begins at a point with a known azimuth, which establishes the direction in which the traverse will proceed. Following this, the traverse involves the measurement of angles and distances to determine the positions of subsequent points along the path of the traverse.

Measuring both angles and distances is critical in geodetic surveying because angles help in defining the shape and geometry of the traverse, while distances provide the necessary linear measurements to calculate the coordinates of new points. The combination of these measurements allows surveyors to compute the relative positions of points accurately and establish a comprehensive layout.

Distances alone cannot provide sufficient information about the direction or the relationships between points, nor can angles alone define a complete traverse without knowing how far to measure in that direction. Meanwhile, while coordinates are essential for defining positions, they are usually derived after conducting the complete measurements of angles and distances rather than being a direct measurement step following an azimuth.

Thus, the correct approach following an initial azimuth in a geodetic traverse is to measure both angles and distances to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results.