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Dean Gesch, Ph.D.

Dean Gesch is a Research Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Since 1992, Dean Gesch has worked at USGS/EROS on a variety of geographic science topics, with most related to research and development of topographic data, derivative products, and applications.  Most of Gesch’s work has focused on large-area datasets and applications (global, national, regional, and local), and much of the work has been collaborative in nature, working with scientists from other USGS centers and other Federal agencies.  He led the design and development of USGS baseline elevation datasets at the national scale (the National Elevation Dataset) and the global scale (GTOPO30 and GMTED2010).  His research topics include large-area topographic change analysis and monitoring, hurricane storm surge mapping, elevation data accuracy assessment, and sea-level rise vulnerability assessment.  He served as a guest editor for Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing for a special issue on: The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission – Data Validation and Applications, and was also a guest editor for Journal of Coastal Research for a special issue on: Advances in Topobathymetric Mapping, Models, and Applications.  Gesch has served in leadership positions in several national and international forums, including the National Digital Elevation Program, the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Working Group on Global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Interoperability, and the Group on Earth Observations Global DEM Task.  Currently at EROS he is the Principal Investigator leading the Coastal Changes and Impacts focus area in the Integrated Science and Applications Branch.

Professional Experience

  • 2004 to present: Research Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Earth Resources Observation and Science Center

  • 1992 - 2004: Senior Scientist, Hughes STX / Raytheon / SAIC at USGS/Earth Resources Observation and Science Center

  • 1989 - 1992: Programmer/Analyst, Hughes STX Corp., Lanham, MD

  • 1986 - 1989: Member Technical Staff, Science Applications Research Corp. at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

  • 1984 - 1986: Physical Scientist, Defense Mapping Agency, Bethesda, MD

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., 2006, Geospatial Science and Engineering, South Dakota State University, Dissertation: An inventory and assessment of significant topographic changes in the United States

  • M.A., 1984, Geosciences, Murray State University, Thesis: An analysis of the utility of Landsat Thematic Mapper data and digital elevation model data for predicting soil erosion: East Fork Massac Cree

  • B.S. (magna cum laude), 1982, Geography, Carroll College

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 13
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Filter Total Items: 54

New land surface digital elevation model covers the Earth

Land surface elevation around the world is reaching new heights—as far as its description and measurement goes. A new global digital elevation model (DEM) is being cited as a significant improvement in the quality of topographic data available for Earth science studies.Land surface elevation is one of the Earth's most fundamental geophysical properties, but the accuracy and detail with which it ha
Authors
Dean B. Gesch, Kristine L. Verdin, Susan K. Greenlee
By
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

The effects of DEM generalization methods on derived hydrologic features

No abstract available.
Authors
D.B. Gesch
By
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

Mission in the works promises precise global topographic data

Significant deficiencies in the quality of today's topographic data severely limit scientific applications. Very few available data sets meet the stringent requirements of 10–30 m for global digital topography and 5 m or better vertical accuracy, and existing satellite systems are unlikely to fulfill these requirements. The Joint Topographic Science Working Group, appointed by NASA and the Italian
Authors
T. Farr, D. Evans, H. Zebker, D. Harding, J. Bufton, T. Dixon, S. Vetrella, D.B. Gesch
By
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

The global topography mission gains momentum

An accurate description of the surface elevation of the Earth is of fundamental importance to many branches of Earth science. Continental topographic data are required for studies of hydrology, ecology, glaciology, geomorphology, and atmospheric circulation. For example, in hydrologic and terrestrial ecosystem studies, topography exerts significant control on intercepted solar radiation, water run
Authors
Tom Farr, Diane Evans, Howard Zebker, David Harding, Jack Bufton, Timothy Dixon, S. Vetrella, Dean B. Gesch
By
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

Topographic data requirements for EOS global change research

This document is a result of Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Version 0 activities of the Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center at the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center. A relatively small part of the Version 0 funding provided by NASA is used to address topographic data issues related to EOS. These issues include identifying and improving access to ex
Authors
Dean B. Gesch
By
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Coastal Changes and Impacts

Identification of requirements and sources for global digital topographic data

Many of the physical processes being studied by global change researchers are affects by land surface topography and consequently topographic data are an important requirement for these investigations. Remotely sensed data, especially those that will be collected by the instruments of the Earth Observing System, require significant correction to remove topographic effects. Although some requirem
Authors
Dean B. Gesch
By
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Coastal Changes and Impacts

Non-USGS Publications**

Imhoff, M.L., and Gesch, D.B., 1990, The derivation of a sub canopy digital terrain model of a flooded forest using synthetic aperture radar: Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, v. 56, no. 8, p. 1155-1162.
Imhoff, M.L., and Gesch, D.B., 1988, The derivation of sub-canopy surface terrain models of coastal forests using synthetic aperture radar, in Proceedings, 1988 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Edinburgh, Scotland, September 12-16, 1988, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Piscataway, New Jersey, p. 613-617.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products

  • Science
    Filter Total Items: 13
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  • Publications
    Filter Total Items: 54

    New land surface digital elevation model covers the Earth

    Land surface elevation around the world is reaching new heights—as far as its description and measurement goes. A new global digital elevation model (DEM) is being cited as a significant improvement in the quality of topographic data available for Earth science studies.Land surface elevation is one of the Earth's most fundamental geophysical properties, but the accuracy and detail with which it ha
    Authors
    Dean B. Gesch, Kristine L. Verdin, Susan K. Greenlee
    By
    Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

    The effects of DEM generalization methods on derived hydrologic features

    No abstract available.
    Authors
    D.B. Gesch
    By
    Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

    Mission in the works promises precise global topographic data

    Significant deficiencies in the quality of today's topographic data severely limit scientific applications. Very few available data sets meet the stringent requirements of 10–30 m for global digital topography and 5 m or better vertical accuracy, and existing satellite systems are unlikely to fulfill these requirements. The Joint Topographic Science Working Group, appointed by NASA and the Italian
    Authors
    T. Farr, D. Evans, H. Zebker, D. Harding, J. Bufton, T. Dixon, S. Vetrella, D.B. Gesch
    By
    Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

    The global topography mission gains momentum

    An accurate description of the surface elevation of the Earth is of fundamental importance to many branches of Earth science. Continental topographic data are required for studies of hydrology, ecology, glaciology, geomorphology, and atmospheric circulation. For example, in hydrologic and terrestrial ecosystem studies, topography exerts significant control on intercepted solar radiation, water run
    Authors
    Tom Farr, Diane Evans, Howard Zebker, David Harding, Jack Bufton, Timothy Dixon, S. Vetrella, Dean B. Gesch
    By
    Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

    Topographic data requirements for EOS global change research

    This document is a result of Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Version 0 activities of the Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center at the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center. A relatively small part of the Version 0 funding provided by NASA is used to address topographic data issues related to EOS. These issues include identifying and improving access to ex
    Authors
    Dean B. Gesch
    By
    Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Coastal Changes and Impacts

    Identification of requirements and sources for global digital topographic data

    Many of the physical processes being studied by global change researchers are affects by land surface topography and consequently topographic data are an important requirement for these investigations. Remotely sensed data, especially those that will be collected by the instruments of the Earth Observing System, require significant correction to remove topographic effects. Although some requirem
    Authors
    Dean B. Gesch
    By
    Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Coastal Changes and Impacts

    Non-USGS Publications**

    Imhoff, M.L., and Gesch, D.B., 1990, The derivation of a sub canopy digital terrain model of a flooded forest using synthetic aperture radar: Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, v. 56, no. 8, p. 1155-1162.
    Imhoff, M.L., and Gesch, D.B., 1988, The derivation of sub-canopy surface terrain models of coastal forests using synthetic aperture radar, in Proceedings, 1988 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Edinburgh, Scotland, September 12-16, 1988, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Piscataway, New Jersey, p. 613-617.

    **Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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