Digital Elevation Models: Terminology and Definitions

Digital elevation models (DEMs) provide fundamental depictions of the three-dimensional shape Earth’s surface and are useful to a wide range disciplines. Ideally, DEMs record interface between atmosphere lithosphere using discrete two-dimensional grid, with complexities introduced by intervening hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, anthroposphere. The treatment DEM surfaces, affected these spheres, depends on their intended use, characteristics sensors that were used create them. is general term, more specific terms such as digital model (DSM) or terrain (DTM) intermediate surfaces. Several global generated optical (visible near-infrared) synthetic aperture radar (SAR), well single/multi-beam sonars products satellite altimetry, share common characteristic georectified, gridded storage structure. Nevertheless, not all same vertical datum, use convention for area ground represented each pixel in DEM, some them have variable data spacings depending latitude. This paper highlights importance knowing, understanding reflecting sensor consolidates terminology definitions key concepts facilitate among growing community users, who do necessarily background.