What are digital elevation models (DEMs)?
USGS Digital elevation models (DEMs) are arrays of regularly spaced elevation values referenced horizontally either to a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection or to a geographic coordinate system. The grid cells are spaced at regular intervals along south to north profiles that are ordered from west to east. The USGS acquires bare-earth elevation source data through the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) and resamples the data to several National Map DEM products for the U.S. and territories. The DEM products include 2, 1, 1/3, and 1/9 arc-second layers, as well as 5-meter DEMs in Alaska and 1-meter DEMs in the conterminous U.S. The 2, 1, and 1/3 arc-second DEMs are logically seamless terrain surfaces in their respective areas of coverage and are produced from the highest quality elevation data held by the USGS.
Related Content
Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?
What sources of data are used to produce the standard 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?
What is the vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?
Is there a difference between 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEM data and lidar data?
The National Map—New data delivery homepage, advanced viewer, lidar visualization
As one of the cornerstones of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Geospatial Program, The National Map is a collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation. The National Map is featuring direct links to new and improved GIS data access utilities...
The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting California's Economy
IntroductionCalifornia faces unprecedented challenges presented by shifting weather patterns that are defining a “new normal.” The result has been extreme weather events, prolonged drought, flooding, and debris flows. These conditions drive severe tree mortality, increase wildfire occurrence and intensity, reduce water availability, and hasten...
Ostergren, Carol L.; Decker, Drew; Carswell,, William J.
The National Map seamless digital elevation model specifications
This specification documents the requirements and standards used to produce the seamless elevation layers for The National Map of the United States. Seamless elevation data are available for the conterminous United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. territories, in three different resolutions—1/3-arc-second, 1-arc-second, and 2-arc-second. These...
Archuleta, Christy-Ann M.; Constance, Eric W.; Arundel, Samantha T.; Lowe, Amanda J.; Mantey, Kimberly S.; Phillips, Lori A.
The 3D Elevation Program and America's infrastructure
Infrastructure—the physical framework of transportation, energy, communications, water supply, and other systems—and construction management—the overall planning, coordination, and control of a project from beginning to end—are critical to the Nation’s prosperity. The American Society of Civil Engineers has warned that, despite the importance of...
Lukas, Vicki; Carswell, Jr., William J.
3D Elevation Program—Virtual USA in 3D
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) uses a laser system called ‘lidar’ (light detection and ranging) to create a virtual reality map of the Nation that is very accurate. 3D maps have many uses with new uses being discovered all the time.
Lukas, Vicki; Stoker, J. M.
USGS lidar science strategy—Mapping the technology to the science
Summary The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) utilizes light detection and ranging (lidar) and enabling technologies to support many science research activities. Lidar-derived metrics and products have become a fundamental input to complex hydrologic and hydraulic models, flood inundation models, fault detection and geologic mapping, topographic and...
Stoker, Jason M.; Brock, John; Soulard, Christopher E.; Ries, Kernell G.; Sugarbaker, Larry J.; Newton, Wesley E.; Haggerty, Patricia K.; Lee, Kathy; Young, John A.
1-Meter Digital Elevation Model specification
In January 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey National Geospatial Technical Operations Center began producing the 1-Meter Digital Elevation Model data product. This new product was developed to provide high resolution bare-earth digital elevation models from light detection and ranging (lidar) elevation data and other elevation data collected over...
Arundel, Samantha T.; Archuleta, Christy-Ann M.; Phillips, Lori A.; Roche, Brittany L.; Constance, Eric W.
USGS Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Switching to New Distribution Format
In support of ongoing efforts to provide efficient, cloud ready, open data formats, the U.S. Geological Survey National Geospatial Program is announcing plans to migrate its 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) Digital Elevation Models (DEM) to a new data delivery format called Cloud Optimized Geotiff (COG) during the first half of fiscal year 2020.
USGS 3DEP Lidar Point Cloud Now Available as Amazon Public Dataset
The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is excited to announce the availability of a new way to access and process lidar point cloud data from the 3DEP repository.
New Elevation Map Service Available From the USGS 3D Elevation Program
The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) announces the availability of a new dynamic map service.
The 3D Elevation Program Distributing Lidar Data in LAZ Format
In support of ongoing efforts to provide efficient, cloud ready, open data formats for the use of lidar data, the USGS National Geospatial Program and its associated 3D Elevation Program is transitioning all of its lidar data distribution files to LAZ format by September 30, 2018.
Keeping Current with Map Services Made Easier
The National Map provides a new Simple Notification Service and has new URLs for some of its thematic cartographic map services.
Keeping Current with Map Services Made Easier
The National Map provides a new Simple Notification Service and has new URLs for some of its thematic cartographic map services.
EarthWord–Lidar
It’s not a radar for liars, it’s this week’s Earthword...
Lidar-derived Digital Elevation Model over Zion National Park, Utah
Lidar-derived Digital Elevation Model over Zion National Park, Utah
Color Shade DEM of Meteor Crater
Color Shade of a DEM(Digital Elevation Model) of Meteor Crater.
3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater
This 3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater was created from thermal images during an overflight of the cone. The deepest portion of the crater is about 320 meters (1050 feet) below the crater floor that existed prior to April 30.
Digital Elevation Model Created by an Unmanned Aerial System
This digital elevation model was created using structure from motion software mounted to an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to analyze bridge scour. Studies using UAS have included stream temperature analyses, bird and mammal surveys, coastal change mapping, sandbar habitat surveys, fluvial erosion rates, microclimate mapping, air quality analysis, plant stress assessment,
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Majuro Atoll — Topobathymetric Model
This video is of is a three-dimensional (3D) view of the Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands topobathymetric model which consists of topography (land elevation) and bathymetry (water depth). This video shows the importance of high-resolution, detailed topobathymetric models because the highest natural elevation for the Majuro Atoll is only three meters. This
Elevation
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories. The NED is derived from diverse source data sets that are processed to a specification with a
PubTalk 11/2010 — Silicon, Software, and Science
Monitoring the Earth's Landscape with Low-Cost High-Tech
by Rian Bogle, Remote Sensing Specialist
- The USGS is one of the world's largest providers of remote sensing data, employing the best tools and techniques to expand our knowledge of the Earth.
- Working with low-cost field and aerial imaging technologies,
DEM of Mount St. Helens' Crater Glacier and lava domes
Image of Mount St. Helens lava domes and Crater Glacier on October 1, 2012. The image was created from 1:12,000 scale vertical aerial photographs combined with ground control points from campaign GPS and targets. Photogrammetry software was used to collect a 3-D point cloud and combined to make this digital elevation model (DEM) focusing on the volcano's crater.