What is the vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?
The most recently published figure of absolute vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs within the conterminous United States, in terms of the National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (NSSDA) at 95% confidence level, is 3.04 meters.
It is important to note that the vertical accuracy actually varies significantly across the U.S. because of differences in source quality, terrain relief, land cover, and other factors.
Related Content
What sources of data are used to produce the standard 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?
Is there a difference between 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEM data and lidar data?
How do I report errors in 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) elevation data?
How accurate are elevations generated by the Elevation Point Query Service in The National Map?
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 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.
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.
Accuracy assessment of the U.S. Geological Survey National Elevation Dataset, and comparison with other large-area elevation datasets: SRTM and ASTER
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. island territories, Mexico, and Canada. The NED is derived from diverse source datasets that are processed to a...
Gesch, Dean B.; Oimoen, Michael J.; Evans, Gayla A.
The 3D Elevation Program: summary for Alaska
Elevation data are essential to a broad range of applications, including forest resources management, wildlife and habitat management, national security, recreation, and many others. For the State of Alaska, elevation data are critical for aviation navigation and safety, natural resources conservation, oil and gas resources, flood risk management...
Carswell, William J.
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.
USGS Topo Base Map Refreshed and Other Updates
The “USGS Topo Base Map” service named “USGS Topo” has been refreshed with new data and design changes. In addition, several of the “Data Availability”, or “Data Index” services have new cloud hosted URLs.
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.
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...
3DEP Map Viewer
3DEP added a dynamic map service for accessing lidar data on the fly
Automated GNIS Summit Core Generation
A few summit cores delineated by the National Terrain Mapping program in the Blue Ridge province, North Carolina. While many summits are mapped via the Geographic Names Information System points, boundaries for these features don't exist. This program is automating procedures to do so for the whole nation.
3dep_Alaska Denali
This image is an oblique view of Denali, viewed from the northeast. The image is IFSAR data, colored by elevation, with a hillshade relief applied.
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
3dep_Channel Islands Santacruz
A 1-meter DEM created from a full-waveform LiDAR point cloud. The full waveform LiDAR enabled highly accurate and detailed surface modeling within the small crevices used by nesting birds, acknowledged by the NPS as vital to their understanding of the unique habitat and ecosystem of the Channel Islands.
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,