During an overflight on May 11, we collected thermal images of the crater at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and created an updated 3D model of the crater geometry. The collapse on April 30 produced a large cavity, with the deepest point roughly 350 m (1150 feet) below the crater rim.
What is the difference between lidar data and a digital elevation model (DEM)?
Light detection and ranging (lidar) data are collected from aircraft using sensors that detect the reflections of a pulsed laser beam. The reflections are recorded as millions of individual points, collectively called a “point cloud,” that represent the 3D positions of objects on the surface including buildings, vegetation, and the ground.
Digital elevation models (DEMs) are one of many products that can be derived from lidar data, though they can also be derived from other sources. DEMs are digital representations of the earth’s topographic surface. They’re a “bare-earth” product because they do not include surface features like buildings and vegetation.
A high-resolution DEM can be derived from lidar point-cloud data by stripping away the surface features and sampling the ground elevation in uniform increments to produce a bare earth model.
The USGS is in the process of replacing all of our legacy DEMs with DEMs derived from lidar and IfSAR (Alaska only) data.
Learn more:
- What is 3DEP?
- What types of elevation datasets are available, what formats do they come in, and where can I download them?
- What is lidar data and where can I download it?
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What is a digital elevation model (DEM)?
A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a representation of the bare ground (bare earth) topographic surface of the Earth excluding trees, buildings, and any other surface objects. DEMs are created from a variety of sources. USGS DEMs used to be derived primarily from topographic maps . Those are being systematically replaced with DEMs derived from high-resolution lidar and IfSAR (Alaska only) data...
What is Lidar data and where can I download it?
Light Detection and Ranging ( lidar ) is a technology used to create high-resolution models of ground elevation with a vertical accuracy of 10 centimeters (4 inches). Lidar equipment, which includes a laser scanner, a Global Positioning System (GPS), and an Inertial Navigation System (INS), is typically mounted on a small aircraft. The laser scanner transmits brief pulses of light to the ground...
What types of elevation datasets are available, what formats do they come in, and where can I download them?
Digital elevation data for the United States and its territories are available through The National Map Downloader . Click the “Help” link at the top of the page for detailed instructions on how to find and download data. There is a separate site for The National Map Services . The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) products and services available through The National Map consist of standard digital...
Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?
3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps are available at these sites: Updates The National Map Data Delivery News Subscribe to Simple Notification Services to receive emails regarding changes to the status of The National Map Services Status Maps The National Map Download Client – Click “Show” below each elevation product LidarExplorer – Lidar point cloud only DEM Availability...
New 3D Model of the Drained Crater at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
During an overflight on May 11, we collected thermal images of the crater at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and created an updated 3D model of the crater geometry. The collapse on April 30 produced a large cavity, with the deepest point roughly 350 m (1150 feet) below the crater rim.
PubTalk 11/2004 — From Plane Tables to Pixels
The Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey
by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer
The Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey
by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer
Related Content
- FAQ
What is a digital elevation model (DEM)?
A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a representation of the bare ground (bare earth) topographic surface of the Earth excluding trees, buildings, and any other surface objects. DEMs are created from a variety of sources. USGS DEMs used to be derived primarily from topographic maps . Those are being systematically replaced with DEMs derived from high-resolution lidar and IfSAR (Alaska only) data...
What is Lidar data and where can I download it?
Light Detection and Ranging ( lidar ) is a technology used to create high-resolution models of ground elevation with a vertical accuracy of 10 centimeters (4 inches). Lidar equipment, which includes a laser scanner, a Global Positioning System (GPS), and an Inertial Navigation System (INS), is typically mounted on a small aircraft. The laser scanner transmits brief pulses of light to the ground...
What types of elevation datasets are available, what formats do they come in, and where can I download them?
Digital elevation data for the United States and its territories are available through The National Map Downloader . Click the “Help” link at the top of the page for detailed instructions on how to find and download data. There is a separate site for The National Map Services . The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) products and services available through The National Map consist of standard digital...
Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?
3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps are available at these sites: Updates The National Map Data Delivery News Subscribe to Simple Notification Services to receive emails regarding changes to the status of The National Map Services Status Maps The National Map Download Client – Click “Show” below each elevation product LidarExplorer – Lidar point cloud only DEM Availability...
- Multimedia
New 3D Model of the Drained Crater at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
During an overflight on May 11, we collected thermal images of the crater at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and created an updated 3D model of the crater geometry. The collapse on April 30 produced a large cavity, with the deepest point roughly 350 m (1150 feet) below the crater rim.
During an overflight on May 11, we collected thermal images of the crater at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and created an updated 3D model of the crater geometry. The collapse on April 30 produced a large cavity, with the deepest point roughly 350 m (1150 feet) below the crater rim.
PubTalk 11/2004 — From Plane Tables to PixelsThe Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey
by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer
The Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey
by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer
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