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Terrain Elevation Data Access and Tools
NASA's data include global radar measurements from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and ongoing interferograms generated from European Sentinel-1 satellite scans. Our datasets and tools help researchers translate these interconnected data points into actionable knowledge.
Featured Terrain Elevation Observation Method: ASTER
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is a high spatial resolution instrument aboard the Terra satellite. ASTER provides a Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) of Earth's land surface at approximately 30-meter spatial resolution.
Version 3 of the ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) provides new features and sharper imagery.
These products are available globally at their full resolution of 30 meters per pixel.
As of 1 April 2016, all Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data products are available at no charge from LP DAAC.
Looking for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data? Learn how to discover, access and manipulate SAR data with the newly revamped NASA ASF DAAC Vertex tool. We'll showcase common data access methods and some of the advanced features of this data discovery and data access tool.
Terrain Elevation Datasets
| Dataset | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Location Keywords | Spatial Extent | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-LiHT Digital Surface Model V001 | G-LiHT | Headwall, Riegl Airborne Lidar | 2011-06-30 to Present | UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MEXICO, PUERTO RICO | N: 73 S: 10 E: -50 W: -170 | GeoTIFF |
| G-LiHT Digital Terrain Model KML V001 | G-LiHT | Headwall, Riegl Airborne Lidar | 2011-06-30 to Present | MEXICO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PUERTO RICO | N: 73 S: 10 E: -50 W: -170 | KML |
| G-LiHT Digital Terrain Model V001 | G-LiHT | Headwall, Riegl Airborne Lidar | 2011-06-30 to Present | UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MEXICO, PUERTO RICO | N: 73 S: 10 E: -50 W: -170 | GeoTIFF |
| G-LiHT Metrics V001 | G-LiHT | Headwall, Riegl Airborne Lidar | 2011-06-30 to Present | PUERTO RICO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MEXICO | N: 73 S: 10 E: -50 W: -170 | GeoTIFF |
| GEDI L1B Geolocated Waveform Data Global Footprint Level V002 | ISS | GEDI | 2019-04-04 to 2023-03-16, 2024-04-26 to Present | GLOBAL LAND | N: 54 S: -54 E: 180 W: -180 | HDF5 |
| GEDI L2B Canopy Cover and Vertical Profile Metrics Data Global Footprint Level V001 | ISS | GEDI | 2019-04-18 to 2020-09-03 | GLOBAL LAND | N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 | HDF5 |
| GEDI L2B Canopy Cover and Vertical Profile Metrics Data Global Footprint Level V002 | ISS | GEDI | 2019-04-04 to 2023-03-16, 2024-04-26 to Present | GLOBAL LAND | N: 54 S: -54 E: 180 W: -180 | HDF5 |
| GEDI L3 Gridded Land Surface Metrics, Version 1 | MODELS, ISS | Computer, GEDI | 2019-04-18 to 2020-04-15 | GLOBAL LAND | N: 52 S: -52 E: 180 W: -180 | binary |
| GEDI L3 Gridded Land Surface Metrics, Version 2 | ISS, MODELS | GEDI, Computer | 2019-04-18 to 2023-03-22 | GLOBAL LAND | N: 52 S: -52 E: 180 W: -180 | multiple |
| Global 1-km Gridded Thickness of Soil, Regolith, and Sedimentary Deposit Layers | DEM | HYDROMETERS | 1900-01-01 to 2015-12-31 | N: 90 S: -60 E: 180 W: -180 | GeoTIFF |
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