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Why are two different file naming conventions used in distribution of 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEM products?

Updated digital elevation model (DEM) dataset files are now given a name that includes information about the resolution and format of the data. This prevents users from accidentally overwriting existing data that might have different resolutions and formats.  

For example:

     an older file: n44w071.zip  

     would now have the name: USGS_13_n44w071.tif  

indicating 1/3 arc-second elevation data in geotiff format for the 1x1 degree tile.