{"id":3987,"date":"2021-02-21T07:44:34","date_gmt":"2021-02-21T07:44:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/47.106.156.26:8081\/WordPress\/?p=3987"},"modified":"2021-06-14T13:13:59","modified_gmt":"2021-06-14T13:13:59","slug":"5-free-global-dem-data-sources-digital-elevation-models","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/47.107.57.2:8081\/xmutsrsc\/?p=3987","title":{"rendered":"5 Free Global DEM Data Sources \u2013 Digital Elevation Models"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Source: GIS Geography<\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Digital Elevation Model Data Sources<\/h4>\n\n

\nWant to elevate your chances of finding a digital elevation model (DEM) data? Sure you do.\n<\/p>\n

\nFrom free satellite data<\/a> to LiDAR sources<\/a>, we show you how to find the digital XYZs. Let\u2019s dive into our list of free global DEM data sources:\n<\/p>\n\n

1. Space Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

\nNASA only needed 11 to obtain their impeccable SRTM 30-meter digital elevation model of the Earth.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe SRTM payload was equipped on the Space Shuttle Endeavour back in February 2000. Using two radar antennas and a single pass, it collected sufficient data to generate a digital elevation model using a technique known as interferometric synthetic aperture radar (inSAR)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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C-Band penetrated canopy cover to the ground better but SRTM still struggled in sloping regions with foreshortening, layover and shadow<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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In late 2014, the highest possible resolution SRTM data was released to the public. This 1-arc second global digital elevation model has a spatial resolution of about 30 meters covering most of the world with absolute vertical height accuracy of less than 16m.\n<\/p>\n\n

Where can you download the SRTM data?<\/h4>\n\n

\nSRTM DEM data is being housed on the USGS Earth Explorer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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To download, select your area of interest. Under the data sets tab, select Digital Elevation > SRTM > SRTM 1-ArcSecond Global. But here\u2019s a USGS Earth Explorer download guide<\/a> to help you get started.\n<\/p>\n\n

2. ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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A joint operation between NASA and Japan was the birth of Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). As part of this project emerged the ASTER Global DEM<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

\nASTER GDEM boasted a global resolution of 90 meters with a resolution of 30 meters in the United States. Despite its high spatial resolution and greater coverage (80% of the Earth), users were dissatisfied with it because of its artifacts, which often occurred in cloudy areas.\n<\/p>\n

\nASTER used stereoscopic pairs and digital image correlation methods. Two (passive) optical images were acquired with different angles taken from the same pass of an airplane. These visible and near-infrared bands of ASTER were affected by cloud cover. This wasn\u2019t the case for SRTM\u2019s C-Band radar. Here\u2019s how passive and active sensors are different<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

\nHowever, over time, ASTER DEM data has improved its products with artifact corrections of their own. During October 2011 ASTER version 2 of Global Digital Elevation Model was publicly released, which considerably improved on version 1.\n<\/p>\n

\nDespite being experimental grade, ASTER version 2 can be considered a more accurate representation<\/a> than the SRTM elevation model in rugged mountainous terrain. But you should really take a look for yourself.\n<\/p>\n\n

Where can you download the ASTER GDEM?<\/h4>\n\n

\nYou can download the ASTER DEM data for free from the USGS Earth Explorer<\/a>. Under the data sets tab, select Digital Elevation > ASTER.\n<\/p>\n\n

3. JAXA\u2019s Global ALOS 3D World<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The ALOS World 3d is a 30-meter spatial resolution digital surface model (DSM) constructed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency\u2019s (JAXA). Recently, this DSM has been made available to the public.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe neat thing about is that it is the most precise global-scale elevation data at this time<\/strong> using the Advanced Land Observing Satellite \u201cDAICHI\u201d (ALOS). The DSM was generated using stereo mapping (PRISM) for worldwide topographic data with its optical stereoscopic observation.\n<\/p>\n\n

Where can you download the JAXA\u2019s Global ALOS 3D World?<\/h4>\n\n

\nIn order to obtain this highly accurate DSM, you\u2019ll have to register online through the JAXA Global ALOS portal<\/a> to download it.\n<\/p>\n\n

4. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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You might think that finding LiDAR is a shot in the dark. But it\u2019s not anymore. Slowly and steadily, we are moving towards a global LiDAR map.\n<\/p>\n

\nWith Open Topography<\/a> topping the list at #1, we\u2019ve put together a list of some of the 6 best LiDAR data sources<\/a> available online for free.\n<\/p>\n

\nBecause nothing beats LiDAR really in terms of coverage and accuracy. Filtering ground returns, you can build an impressive DEM from LiDAR.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u2026And if you still can\u2019t find anything in the link above, try your local or regional government. If you tell them what you are using it for, they sometimes hand out LiDAR for free.\n<\/p>\n\n

5. Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA)<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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MOLA DEM, just throwing this out here to peak your interest. Earth isn\u2019t the only surface being mapped for elevation.\n<\/p>\n

\nYou can go for a spin on the rugged terrain of Mars using data captured by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) instrument as shown in the Mars Terrain map<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

\nIn fact, the data captured from the MOLA instrument data was used to map out ancient streams on Mars<\/a>. If this doesn\u2019t excite you, I don\u2019t know what would.<\/p>\n\n

Where can you download the MOLA DEM of Mars?<\/h4>\n\n

\nThe USGS Astrogeology Science Center<\/a> is the DEM data hub for Mars. Elevations above the aroid were determined from a Martian gravity field solution GMM-2B with a total elevation uncertainty of at least \u00b13m.\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Who said GIS wasn\u2019t fun?<\/p>

Download DEM Data<\/h4>

Elevation data is abundant. It\u2019s just a matter of finding the right one to suit your needs.<\/p>

From space borne to airborne, from Earth to Mars \u2013 you now have the right tools to position yourself vertically on any location of the planets.<\/p>

Got anything else? Let me know with a comment below.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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