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Digital Elevation Models

What are digital elevation models

A digital elevation model (DEM) is a digital representation of the terrain of a geographic area. It is a type of geographic data that encodes the height and slope of the terrain at regular intervals across a grid, typically using a raster data format. DEMs are commonly used in GIS applications to create digital maps and to perform spatial analysis of terrain and other geographic features.

There are several different types of DEMs, depending on the resolution and accuracy of the data. Some common types of DEMs include:

Digital terrain models (DTMs): These are DEMs that represent the bare earth terrain, without vegetation or other surface features.

Digital surface models (DSMs): These are DEMs that represent the top of the earth’s surface, including vegetation, buildings, and other objects.

Digital terrain elevation data (DTED): These are DEMs that are created using elevation data from satellite imagery or other sources.

DEMs can be created using various methods, such as interpolation of contour lines from topographic maps, digitization of elevation data from aerial photographs or satellite images, or direct measurements using lasers or other sensors. The resolution of a DEM can range from millimeters meters to hundreds of meters, depending on the data source and the intended application.

Are Digital Elevation Models Raster or Vector?

A digital elevation model (DEM) is typically a raster data format, which means that it encodes spatial data as a grid of cells, with each cell representing a specific value or range of values. In the case of a DEM, each cell in the grid represents the elevation of the terrain at that point.

This is in contrast to vector data formats, which store spatial data as a set of geometric shapes, such as points, lines, and polygons. Vector data is often used to represent the shapes and locations of geographic features, such as the boundaries of countries or the outlines of buildings.

Raster data formats are well-suited for representing continuous data, such as the elevation of the terrain, because they can encode a large amount of data in a compact and efficient way. Vector data formats, on the other hand, are better suited for representing discrete or discretely-varying data, such as the location of specific points or the outlines of specific objects.

20 potential uses for digital elevation models (DEMs):

  1. Creating digital maps: DEMs can be used to create digital maps, such as topographic maps, that show the terrain of a geographic area.
  2. Analyzing terrain: DEMs can be used to perform spatial analysis of the terrain, such as calculating the slope or curvature of the land.
  3. Modeling and simulation: DEMs can be used as input data for modeling and simulation applications, such as creating 3D models of landscapes or simulating the flow of water across terrain.
  4. Navigation and logistics: DEMs can be used to help with navigation and logistics, such as planning routes and identifying potential obstacles or challenges.
  5. Flood and erosion modeling: DEMs can be used to model and predict the potential impact of flooding or erosion on a geographic area.
  6. Environmental analysis: DEMs can be used to study the effects of environmental factors, such as temperature and precipitation, on the terrain of a region.
  7. Forest management: DEMs can be used to help with forest management, such as identifying areas for tree planting or monitoring the health of forests.
  8. Agriculture and farming: DEMs can be used to assist with agricultural and farming activities, such as identifying suitable locations for planting crops or monitoring the health of crops.
  9. Disaster response: DEMs can be used to plan and coordinate disaster response efforts, such as identifying evacuation routes or providing information about the terrain to responders.
  10. Recreational activities: DEMs can be used to help with recreational activities, such as planning hiking or biking routes, or identifying potential areas for outdoor activities.
  11. Urban planning: DEMs can be used to help with urban planning, such as identifying areas for new development or analyzing the impact of new developments on the surrounding terrain.
  12. Infrastructure planning: DEMs can be used to plan and design infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings, by providing information about the terrain and its characteristics.
  13. Geology and geomorphology: DEMs can be used to study the geology and geomorphology of a region, such as identifying geological features or analyzing the impact of geological processes on the terrain.
  14. Archaeology: DEMs can be used to assist with archaeological research, such as identifying potential sites for excavation or analyzing the landscape around known sites.
  15. Land management: DEMs can be used to help with land management, such as identifying areas for conservation or monitoring the health of natural habitats.
  16. Wildlife management: DEMs can be used to assist with wildlife management, such as identifying suitable habitats for particular species or monitoring the movement of wildlife.
  17. Military operations: DEMs can be used to support military operations, such as planning missions or analyzing the terrain for potential threats or advantages.
  18. Energy and resource management: DEMs can be used to help with energy and resource management, such as identifying potential locations for renewable energy projects or analyzing the impact of resource extraction on the terrain.
  19. Telecommunication networks: DEMs can be used to design and optimize telecommunication networks, such as cell towers or satellite networks, by providing information about the terrain and its characteristics.
  20. Climate and weather modeling: DEMs can be used as input data for climate and weather modeling applications, such as predicting the impact of climate change on the terrain of a region.

Overall, digital elevation models are an important type of geographic data that are used to represent the terrain of a geographic area in a digital format. They are commonly used in GIS applications to create maps, analyze terrain, and perform other spatial analysis tasks.

About the Author
I'm Daniel O'Donohue, the voice and creator behind The MapScaping Podcast ( A podcast for the geospatial community ). With a professional background as a geospatial specialist, I've spent years harnessing the power of spatial to unravel the complexities of our world, one layer at a time.