Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Landsat Geometric Verify Image and Report

The Landsat Geometric Verify Image and Report files are provided in Landsat 1-5 Multispectral Scanner (MSS) and Landsat 4-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) Collection 1 Tier 1 data products.

 The Verify Image file (_VER.jpg) displays a colored grid of verification points to represent the accuracy of geometric correction, using cross-correlation techniques to compare the product to the GLS 2000 reference dataset (see image below).  This graphical representation of the Geometric Verify Report (_VER.txt) helps users determine the geometric accuracy of each MSS and TM precision and terrain-corrected scene. The Verify Report contains summary statistics and lists all verification points. 

The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) associated with the Verify Image product is calculated using measurements performed at locations shown by gradient dots. The intent of the verify product is to provide quadrant and full image estimates to quantify the accuracy of the product, as well as to provide a visual representation of the spatial distribution of errors throughout the image. Users should carefully note the distribution of the measurements. In areas where there are no measurements (i.e. a deviation from a regular grid), accuracy assessments could not be made. Possible reasons for this include the presence of clouds, absence of texture (persistent edges such as roads, rivers, fields, boundaries, ridgelines), and so forth. If the same features cannot be found on the reference image and the product or if contrast within the image is low, then correlation errors may occur.

Landsat Geometric Verify Image
Landsat 1 MSS Path 36 Row 37 Verify Image file (_VER.jpg)
Legend
Color RMSE
Green <= 0.5 pixel
Cyan 0.5 pixel  to <= 1 pixel
Blue 1 pixel to <= 2 pixel
Yellow 2 pixel to <= 3 pixel
Red > 3 pixel
RMSE by Quadrant and Scene
Upper Left 0.33 pixel
Upper Right 0.41 pixel
Lower Right 0.43 pixel
Lower Left 0.44 pixel
SCENE 0.41 pixel

Rules of Image:  50x50 grid, strength of correlation, distance from other points, RMSE.