USGS EROS Archive - Digital Elevation - Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) - Alaska Active
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) data were used to generate Digital Surface Model (DSM) and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) data for Alaska (2010-2012).
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) developed the Alaska Mapping Initiative (AMI) to collaborate with State and other Federal partners in Alaska to acquire 3-dimensional elevation data to improve statewide topographic mapping products. AMI coordinates Federal activities through the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee (AMEC) and State efforts through Alaska’s Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative (SDMI) to ensure a unified approach for consistent data acquisition and enhancement of elevation data products.
AMI attained interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) data to generate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). This radar mapping technology is an effective tool for collecting data under challenging circumstances such as cloud cover, extreme weather conditions, rugged terrain, and remote locations. Airborne IFSAR data were flown over south-central Alaska in summer 2010 and over northwestern Alaska in 2012. Additional areas may become available as projects are inspected for quality and released for dissemination. A coverage map in EarthExplorer indicates the extent of distributable data.
IFSAR Alaska Products
Elevation products generated from IFSAR data include Digital Surface Model (DSM) and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) data.
DSMs provide elevation values of landscape features on the earth's surface. This topographic product contains the height of the highest surface on the ground including vegetation, man-made structures, and bare earth.
DTMs provide elevation values of the underlying terrain of the earth’s surface. This topographic product reflects the height of bare earth where the elevations of vegetation and man-made features have been removed.
The USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center distributes IFSAR Alaska products in Georeferenced Tagged Image File Format (GeoTIFF). The pixel values for the grayscale images represent elevation numbers.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Projection | Alaska Albers Conical Equal Area |
| Horizontal Datum | NAD83 |
| Vertical Datum | NAVD88 |
| Vertical Units | Meters |
| Post Spacing | 5-meter |
| Vertical Accuracy | 3-meter Confidence Level of 90% for a 0-10 degree slope |
| Horizontal Accuracy | 12.2-meter Circular Error of 90% (CE90) 13.9-meter Circular Error of 95% (CE95) 5.682-meter Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for x and y |
| Raster Size | 15 minute tiles |
| File Size | 50 - 100 megabytes |
DEM products meet the horizontal accuracy requirements for USGS maps and orthophotos at 1:24,000-scale.
Coverage Maps
Coverage Maps indicating the availability of IFSAR Alaska products are available for download.
Additional Information
- USGS Alaska Mapping Initiative
- Alaska’s Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative
- Alaska Mapping Executive Committee
- USGS Factsheet - The 3D Elevation Program – Summary for Alaska
Access Data
EarthExplorer can be used to search, preview, and download IFSAR Alaska data. The collection is located under the Digital Elevation category.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- Overview
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) data were used to generate Digital Surface Model (DSM) and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) data for Alaska (2010-2012).
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsSusitna Flats State Game Refuge (July 2010)(Public domain) The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) developed the Alaska Mapping Initiative (AMI) to collaborate with State and other Federal partners in Alaska to acquire 3-dimensional elevation data to improve statewide topographic mapping products. AMI coordinates Federal activities through the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee (AMEC) and State efforts through Alaska’s Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative (SDMI) to ensure a unified approach for consistent data acquisition and enhancement of elevation data products.
AMI attained interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) data to generate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). This radar mapping technology is an effective tool for collecting data under challenging circumstances such as cloud cover, extreme weather conditions, rugged terrain, and remote locations. Airborne IFSAR data were flown over south-central Alaska in summer 2010 and over northwestern Alaska in 2012. Additional areas may become available as projects are inspected for quality and released for dissemination. A coverage map in EarthExplorer indicates the extent of distributable data.
IFSAR Alaska Products
Elevation products generated from IFSAR data include Digital Surface Model (DSM) and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) data.
DSMs provide elevation values of landscape features on the earth's surface. This topographic product contains the height of the highest surface on the ground including vegetation, man-made structures, and bare earth.
DTMs provide elevation values of the underlying terrain of the earth’s surface. This topographic product reflects the height of bare earth where the elevations of vegetation and man-made features have been removed.
The USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center distributes IFSAR Alaska products in Georeferenced Tagged Image File Format (GeoTIFF). The pixel values for the grayscale images represent elevation numbers.
Product Specifications Projection Alaska Albers Conical Equal Area Horizontal Datum NAD83 Vertical Datum NAVD88 Vertical Units Meters Post Spacing 5-meter Vertical Accuracy 3-meter Confidence Level of 90% for a 0-10 degree slope Horizontal Accuracy 12.2-meter Circular Error of 90% (CE90) 13.9-meter Circular Error of 95% (CE95) 5.682-meter Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for x and y Raster Size 15 minute tiles File Size 50 - 100 megabytes DEM products meet the horizontal accuracy requirements for USGS maps and orthophotos at 1:24,000-scale.
Coverage Maps
Coverage Maps indicating the availability of IFSAR Alaska products are available for download.
Additional Information
- USGS Alaska Mapping Initiative
- Alaska’s Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative
- Alaska Mapping Executive Committee
- USGS Factsheet - The 3D Elevation Program – Summary for Alaska
Access Data
EarthExplorer can be used to search, preview, and download IFSAR Alaska data. The collection is located under the Digital Elevation category.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- Publications
- Web Tools