5 Free Global DEM Data Sources – Digital

Elevation Models
FREE DEM DATA SOURCES: GLOBAL ELEVATION
MODELS

Digital Elevation Model Data Sources

Want to elevate your chances of finding a digital elevation model (DEM) data?

Sure you do.

From free satellite data to LiDAR sources, we show you how to find XYZ data.

Let’s dive into our list of free global DEM data sources:

1 Space Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)

NASA only needed 11 days to capture Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 30-meter
digital elevation model. Back in February 2000, the Space Shuttle Endeavour launched with
the SRTM payload.

Using two radar antennas and a single pass, it collected sufficient data to generate a digital
elevation model using a technique known as interferometric synthetic aperture radar
(inSAR). C-Band penetrated canopy cover to the ground better but SRTM still struggled in
sloping regions with foreshortening, layover and shadow.

In late 2014, the United States government released the highest resolution SRTM DEM to the
public. This 1-arc second global digital elevation model has a spatial resolution of about 30
meters. Also, it covers most of the world with absolute vertical height accuracy of less than
16m.

Where can you download the SRTM data?

SRTM DEM data is being housed on the USGS Earth Explorer. To download, select your area
of interest. Under the data sets tab, select Digital Elevation > SRTM > SRTM 1-ArcSecond
Global . But here’s a USGS Earth Explorer download guide to help you get started.

2 ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model

NASA and Japan’s joint operation was the birth of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission
and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). As part of this project emerged the ASTER Global
Digital Elevation Model (GDEM).

ASTER GDEM boasted a global resolution of 90 meters with a resolution of 30 meters in the
United States. Despite its high-resolution and greater coverage (80% of the Earth),
dissatisfied users expressed issues with its artifacts often in cloudy areas.

ASTER GDEM used stereoscopic pairs and digital image correlation methods. Based on two
images at different angles, it used stereopairs and photogrammetry to measure elevation.
However, the amount of cloud cover affected the accuracy of ASTER which wasn’t the case for
SRTM DEM. Because of how passive and active sensors work, this had the most significant
effect on quality of DEM.
But over time, ASTER DEM data has improved its products with artifact corrections of their
own. In October 2011, ASTER GDEM version 2 was publicly released, which was a
considerable improvement.

Despite its experimental grade, ASTER GDEM-2 is considered a more accurate

representation than the SRTM elevation model in rugged mountainous terrain. But you
should really take a look for yourself.

Where can you download the ASTER GDEM?

You can download the ASTER DEM data for free from the USGS Earth Explorer. Under the
data sets tab, select Digital Elevation > ASTER .

3 JAXA’s Global ALOS 3D World

ALOS World 3D is a 30-meter resolution digital surface model (DSM) captured by the Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA). Recently, this DSM has been made available to the
public.

The neat thing about is that it is the most precise global-scale elevation data now. It uses
the Advanced Land Observing Satellite “DAICHI” (ALOS) based on stereo mapping from
PRISM.

Where can you download the JAXA’s Global ALOS 3D World?

If you want this accurate DSM, you’ll have to register online through the JAXA Global ALOS
portal to download it.

4 Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)

You might think that finding LiDAR is a shot in the dark.

But it’s not anymore.

Slowly and steadily, we are moving towards a global LiDAR map.

With Open Topography topping the list at #1, we’ve put together a list of some of the 6 best
LiDAR data sources available online for free.

Because nothing beats LiDAR for spatial accuracy. After you filter ground returns, you can
build an impressive DEM from LiDAR.

And if you still can’t find anything in the link above, try your local or regional government. If
you tell them what you are using it for, they sometimes hand out LiDAR for free.

5 Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA)

MOLA DEM

Just throwing this out here to peak your interest.

We aren’t only mapping out Earth’s elevation.

Based on the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) instrument, you can view the rugged
terrain of Mars. For example, this Mars Terrain map uses data from MOLA.

In fact, scientists used MOLA to map out ancient streams on Mars. If this doesn’t excite you, I
don’t know what would.

Where can you download the MOLA DEM of Mars?

The USGS Astrogeology Science Center is the DEM data hub for Mars. USGS found elevations
above the areoid from a Martian gravity field solution GMM-2B with a total elevation
uncertainty of at least ±3m.
Who said GIS wasn’t fun?

How to Download DEM Data

Elevation data is abundant.

It’s just a matter of finding the right one to suit your needs.

From spaceborne to airborne, from Earth to Mars – you now have the right tools to position
yourself vertically on any location of the planets.

Got anything else? Let me know with a comment below.