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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: 

Divided image with tree-covered slope on one side and the treeless, bare earth on the other side revealing landslides
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.
By processing lidar point clouds (left) to bare earth DEMs (right), the vegetation is stripped away to reveal past landslides and steep slopes at risk of failure masked by forested canopies. In dense forests, landslides--especially old landslides--might be invisible on aerial images and hard to detect from the ground.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?

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    Digital elevation model created by an Unmanned Aerial System

    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...

    link

    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...

    Learn More
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    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...

    link

    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...

    Learn More
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    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...

    link

    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...

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    Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?

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    link

    Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?

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    Learn More
  • Multimedia
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  • Publications

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  • News
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    USGS Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Switching to New Distribution Format

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    Read Article
    link

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    Read Article
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    Read Article
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    The 3D Elevation Program Distributing Lidar Data in LAZ Format

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    Read Article
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    Read Article
    link

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    Read Article