Earth MRI is accelerating 3DEP’s collection of modern topographic data over regions of interest for subsurface critical mineral resources.
These data serve many purposes, including ensuring that geological and geophysical surveys are accurate. Lidar data are critical for:
-
Mapping young deposits and landforms, which are those most essential to understanding Earth resources
-
Underpinning geologic mapping that guides assessment and development of solid-Earth resources: base and precious metals, sand and gravel, coal, oil, and natural gas
-
Supporting site-specific engineering studies by the geotechnical industry
-
Improving the efficiency of geologic mapping, dramatically improving the spatial precision of geologic maps, and increasing the number of units that can be mapped, in some cases doubling them
3DEP leverages Federal, state, and other partners’ funds to systematically collect high-quality elevation data over the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories, with data collection conducted by private sector contractors. USGS releases a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) annually that provides detailed information on how to partner with the USGS and other Federal agencies to acquire high-quality 3D elevation data. 3DEP released an amendment to the BAA in April 2019 in support of the Earth MRI Program FY19 priorities for lidar acquisition, in accordance with the current goals, objectives and priorities of the program. USGS made $1.6M in funding available for partnerships to support lidar acquisitions over high priority areas.
Data are made publicly available through The National Map. As of August 2019, about 61 percent of the Nation has 3DEP quality data (lidar in the lower 49 states, and IfSAR in Alaska) at an appropriate resolution for geologic mapping either available or in progress.
Below are FAQ associated with this project.
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...
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...
- Overview
Earth MRI is accelerating 3DEP’s collection of modern topographic data over regions of interest for subsurface critical mineral resources.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Earth MRI Geologic map of the Castle Rock quadrangle AZ (Public domain.) These data serve many purposes, including ensuring that geological and geophysical surveys are accurate. Lidar data are critical for:
-
Mapping young deposits and landforms, which are those most essential to understanding Earth resources
-
Underpinning geologic mapping that guides assessment and development of solid-Earth resources: base and precious metals, sand and gravel, coal, oil, and natural gas
-
Supporting site-specific engineering studies by the geotechnical industry
-
Improving the efficiency of geologic mapping, dramatically improving the spatial precision of geologic maps, and increasing the number of units that can be mapped, in some cases doubling them
3DEP leverages Federal, state, and other partners’ funds to systematically collect high-quality elevation data over the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories, with data collection conducted by private sector contractors. USGS releases a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) annually that provides detailed information on how to partner with the USGS and other Federal agencies to acquire high-quality 3D elevation data. 3DEP released an amendment to the BAA in April 2019 in support of the Earth MRI Program FY19 priorities for lidar acquisition, in accordance with the current goals, objectives and priorities of the program. USGS made $1.6M in funding available for partnerships to support lidar acquisitions over high priority areas.
Data are made publicly available through The National Map. As of August 2019, about 61 percent of the Nation has 3DEP quality data (lidar in the lower 49 states, and IfSAR in Alaska) at an appropriate resolution for geologic mapping either available or in progress.
-
- Science
- Data
- Publications
- Web Tools
- News
- FAQ
Below are FAQ associated with this project.
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...
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...