DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

Applications of Digital
Elevation Models

J. R. Sulebak
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“White paper” developed as part of the

DYNAMAP project, Oslo 2000. The
document gives and insight into different
applications areas for Digital Elevation
Models.

INTRODUCTIO surface?
N
Environmental This paper tries to
issues are of vital answer some of
importance for these questions
human life on by giving a
Earth. A question presentation of
is, how can 3- representative
dimensional applications and
information of the possible business
topography of the opportunities
Earth surface help with respect to
us in digital elevation
understanding our models. The paper
vulnerable is intended to
environment and focus on the
secure a more potential use of
sustainable digital
management and elevation data in
use of our science, security
environmental relevant
resources. What applications or in
are the areas in management and
which digital decision
elevation models making related to
are essential tools environmental
easing the struggle issues in
towards a better community. In
ability to perceive other words, an
and analyze the aim is that
physical, geologists,
biological, hydrologists,
chemical and ecologists,
cultural character geomorphologists,
of the Earths civil and mining
engineers, in environmental
geographers, planning agencies,
geophysics, soil in mineral and
scientists, petroleum
climatologists, industries and in
managers and consulting firms
specialists become intrigued
working by the widespread
application areas
of digital terrain
and elevation
models.

A problem
however so far is
that analysis and
interpretation of
remotely sensed
data as well as the
generation of
scientific
computer models
require terrain
models for data
correction and
simulation of a
quality that is
currently not
available. Thus, a
prerequisite for a
fully exploitation
of the potential of
DEMs is to make
them available for
the community at
sufficient
accuracy, detail,
projection and
format to sustain a
variety of
applications need
for topographical
information.

TOPOGRAPHY
The knowledge of
the surface
topography is of
major importance many applications
to the Earth in civil and
sciences. It is military agencies
essential in any and in industrial
discipline areas like
concerned with telecommunicatio
process modeling ns (specifically,
like hydrology, radio wave
climatology, propagation),
geomorphology navigation,
and ecology. As hydrology,
will be seen in this disaster
paper it is also a management
prerequisite for (prevention,

-
Application
s of Digital
Elevation
Models -
DYNAMAP
"White
paper",
2000 1
DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

relief, Early topographic

assessment), models were
transportation and made of wood,
infrastructure pasteboards,
planning. In a plaster or
classical sense, moulded material,
the expression maps were, then
topography is painted by hand
defined by the onto the surface of
Greek words the model. More
topos and familiar are paper
graphein referring maps with the
to place and the topography
process of writing recorded as
or describing, shaded relief,
respectively. slope map or as
Topography is, contour lines. The
therefore, a first two methods
detailed study or gives a strong
description of a visual effect of 3-
particular place or dimension (or rely
region. By 2.5 dimension)
describing the helping the reader
elevation of each of the map to
point and its grasp the essential
neighborhood, characteristics of
topography is a the landscape
graphic features. These
representation of methods of
landscapes natural displaying relief
surface features are, however
including hills, inadequate in that
valleys, rivers, they do not give
lakes and such, as any information
principle man- on the elevation
made features. above sea level of
Typically, all points on the
topography is map or how steep
drawn on maps the slopes are.
and charts or Topographic
otherwise contours derived
presented. from
photogrammetry
by interpreting of small-scale
stereo aerial features could
photography give valuable
images give an information when
accurate depiction analyzing large-
of the elevation scale phenomena.
along the
contours. Between Today, the
the contours techniques of
however radar
topographic interferometry
contours supply with Synthetic
only fairly Aperture Radar
accurate systems (SAR)
information about and laser
elevation and interferometry
slopes, being (LIDAR) are
derived from an currently the most
interpolation advanced
between precisely technology and
determined the most effective
reference points way of acquiring
along the topographic
contours. The information. It is
elevation is also independent of
always estimated cloud covers, sun
to the nearest illumination and
meter. The need the contrast of the
for approximation Earth's surface.
and generalization
in topographic DIGITAL
maps results in ELEVATION
MODELS
great loss of detail
and accuracy. When modern
Although in some aerial
circumstances the photography and
elimination satellite remote
sensing started to
provide continuos
surface
information by
means of optical
cameras, radar or
laser beams, for
example, and the
derivation of
terrain elevation
was made
possible by
stereoscopy and exists, among the
interferometry, most usual are
topography gained triangulated
whole new irregular networks
meaning in spatial (TIN), regular
studies. Our grids, contour
ability to perceive lines and scattered
and analyze the data points. A
physical, DEM is usually
biological, described either
chemical and by a wire frame
cultural character model or an image
of the Earths matrix in which
surface has, since, the value of each
been greatly pixel is associated
expanded. with a specific
topographic
Today, the height.
elevation
information is Digital elevation
represented in models are in
computers as combination with
elevation data in a other spatial data,
digital format. an important
This format is database for
usually called topography-
digital elevation related analyses or
models (DEM). 3D video
Thus a DEM is a animations
computerized (e.g. fly-
representation of throughs).
the Earths relief. Different
Different formats

-
Applicatio
ns of
Digital
Elevation
Models --
DYNAMA
P "White
paper",
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DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

georeferenced 3D detailed spatial

products can be and geographical
derived and analysis.
complemented by Additionally,
a coordinate when using the
system and mosaic of existing
presented in a 2D- DEMs, which
map projection or where derived by
as a 3D different
perspective view. resolutions,
datums,
The availability frequencies and
of DEM data
polarizations, in
The science order to arrive at
community and global
the commercial representations of
market are the Earths relief,
increasingly the results are
aware of the inhomogeneous,
importance of inconsistent and,
DEMs in their consequently,
applications. incomparable.
However there are
certain limitations At present,
in their currently available
employment. On digital elevation
the one hand, models exhibit
there is only discontinuities
limited access to with respect to
existing digital coverage,
topographic data resolution,
due to high costs accuracy and
and military reference datum.
secrecy. On the They are also
other hand, free inhomogeneous
available global because they are
data sets with a derived through
horizontal different
resolution of 1 km acquisition
and a vertical one methods. The
of 100 m do not currently best,
meet the most
requirements of comprehensive,
global data set the first continuos
comes with a large-scale
horizontal product, which
resolution of one has not been
kilometer and an mosaiced from
elevation accuracy data derived from
of 100 meters. differing sensors,
formats and dates.
Unfortunately, the It will be global
acquisition of consistency and
digital terrain based on one
models is too geodetical
expensive for reference system.
most The expected low
environmental cost of SRTM
authorities and data will make
private users. This DEM affordable
however, may for many
change with the scientific and
Shuttle Radar operational users.
Topographic
Mission project DEM and
carried out in Geographical
information
february 2000. systems
The aim of this
DEMs can be
project was to
used together with
map the
other spatial data,
topography of the
image data in
earth surface
geographic
(80%) from space
information
within 11 days by
systems (GIS), for
using SAR
instance. A GIS is
interferometry.
an information
The result will be
system designed
to acquire, store,
process and
display data
referenced by
spatial or
geographical
coordinates. In a
sense, a GIS may
be thought of as a
higher-order map,
being both a
database system
with specific
capabilities for
spatially significance in the
referenced data as treatment of geo-
well as a set of and image
operations for information for
processing and scientific,
analyzing the commercial and
data. The DEM operational
provides a basic applications. For
spatial reference most applications
system to the GIS in these three
spatial data set. domains, digital
Images or vector elevation models
information can (DEMs) are an
automatically be important, integral
draped over and part. In the
integrated with following sections
the DEM for more the various
advanced applications and
analysis. application areas
of DEMs is
APPLICATIONS described in more
OF DEM detail. It is
Geographical decided to
information consider these as a
technology and selection
digital image
of representative
processing have
activities in the
become a rapidly domains of
expanding field in
recent years with • Scientific
particular applications

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Applicatio
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Digital
Elevation
Models --
DYNAMA
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paper",
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DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

which DEMs will

• Commercial
be useful reflect
applications the overall
• Industrial importance of the
availability of
applications
global, consistent,
• Operational high quality
digital elevation
applications
models.
• Military

applications SCIENTIFIC
APPLICATIONS
Exact information
where DEMs play
about the Earths
a significant role
surface is of
in the
fundamental
improvement of
importance in all
analysis result,
geosciences. The
product
topography
development and
exaggerate control
decision making.
over range of
Thus, DEM are an Earth surface
asset in a variety processes
of both (evaporation,
commercial and water flow, mass
public business movement, forest
and management fires) important
fields within for the energy
telecommunicatio exchange between
ns, navigation, the physical
energy, disaster climate system in
management, the atmosphere
transportation, and the
weather forecast, biogeochemical
remote sensing, cycles at the Earth
geodesy, land surface. Ecology
cover investigates the
classification, dependencies
civil engineering between all life
and many more. forms and their
The wide range of environment such
different as soil, water,
applications in climate and
landscape.
• In weather
Hydrology needs
forecast and
the knowledge
climate
about the relief to
modeling,
model the
models of
movement of
conversion
water, glaciers
processes
and ice.
between the
Geomorphology
ground and
describes the
the
relief recognizing
atmosphere
form-building
as well as of
processes.
movements in
Climatology
the lower
investigates fluxes
atmospheric
of temperature,
strata
moisture, air
also rely on
particles all
uniform and
influenced by
global DEMs.
topography.
Relationship
between the
topography
and the
shape of the
land surface
with a variety
of
state
variables of
geo-processes
like
evaporation,
runoff, soil
moisture,
influencing
the climate in
local and
global scale.

Another area of
application is a
global land cover
classification.
Precise mapping
and classification
of the Earth's
surface at a global
scale is the most
important
prerequisite for terrain effects in
large-scale radar scenes.
modeling of geo-
processes. In To summarize, the
numerous studies, science
it was community, for
demonstrated that example, employs
radar images are DEMs for
suitable for research on
documentation
• Climate
and classification
of natural impact studies
vegetation and
• Water and
agricultural areas.
In remote sensing wildlife
DEMs are used management
together with GIS
to correct images • Geological
or retrieve and hydrological
thematic
modeling
information with
respect to sensor • Geographic
geometry and
information
local relief to
produce geocoded technology
products. Thus,
• Geomorpholo
for the synergic
use of different gy and landscape
sensor systems analysis
(and GIS), digital
• Mapping
elevation model
are a prerequisite purposes and
for geocoding
• Educational
satellite images
and correcting programs

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Applicatio
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Digital
Elevation
Models --
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P "White
paper",
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DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

COMMERCIAL
APPLICATIONS elevation models?
Commercial
Do the users know
applications are
more marked and
the available
business oriented
applications products?
related to sale and
distribution of Are there any
DEM and DEM
products. From competitors on the
this point of view,
market?
two main market
sectors are
Commercial
interested in
providers offer
digital terrain
DEMs or DEM –
models. One
associated
sector employs
products, which
basic DEM
are of interests for
products where
issues in
data are
preprocessed and • Telecommuni
geocoded but
have no cation
application • Air traffic
associated with
routing and
them. The other
sector navigation
encompasses the
• Planning and
value-adding
services, which construction
couple DEMs • Geological
with a specific
application. The exploration
following • Hydrological
overview for both
and
sectors addresses
questions like meteorological

services
Is there a market
• Geokoding of
for digital
remote sensing
 example is the X-
and
SAR/STRM
• Market of Shuttle Radar
multimedia Topography
applications Mission that gives
and computer a digital elevation
games data at 30m
resolution
covering 80% of
Basic DEM
the Earth surface.
products
Several studies
New opportunities
where carried out
for generating
for the European
digital elevation
Union, for the
models are given
European Space
by new
Agency and by
technology in
the Euroimage
remote sensing to
Consortium. All
measure elevation
studies confirm
at the Earth
that there is not
surface at
only a significant
increasing
marked which is
resolution for
served with
larger areas. An
remotely sensed
DEMs from
airborne and
spaceborne
sensors, they even
forecast a boost in
the DEM offers
induced several
radar and high-
resolution optical
sensors. The
studies
demonstrated a
currently strong
need for DEMs of
a variety of
sources with
accuracies ranging
form 1m to 100m.
DEMs covering
areas of tens of
millions km2 with
annual production
rates of several
million km2 are in
the archives. French company
ISTAR, followed
A large amount of by Atlantis
topographic data Scientific Inc.,
is available. In USA. The main
many cases data source used
however, the by ISTAR is the
coverage is SPOT system,
incomplete or the complemented by
products are not ERS and
accessible for RADARSAT and
civilian. Also recently by
technology is airborne SAR
needed to DEMs.
effectively
manage and In Norway the
distribute the large leading distributor
amount of is The Norwegian
elevation data Mapping
collected to an Authority. They
increasing number deliver a digital
of disparate users. elevation model
(DTED level 1)
For many years, for the whole of
companies and Norway at 100m
agencies have resolution. Digital
offered digital elevation data as
elevation data contour lines
from different however is
countries. The available at larger
cost varies from scale. Other
country to Norwegian
country. The providers of
largest distributor digital elevation
of DEMs models are
worldwide is the BLOM

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Elevation
Models --
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paper",
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DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

ASA and Fotonor, processes ranging

offering high- form transforming
resolution DEMs the reference
by e.g. using laser coordinate system
interferometry and into a user
digital specific grid to
photogrammetry. applications in the
fields of e.g.
Customer are only
willing to invest • planning and
in DEMs if the construction
data product is • hydrological
according to their and
specific needs, meteorologic
e.g. delivered in a al services,
specific data including risk
model (TIN, assessment
GRID), covering
• geocoding of
the entire study remote sensing
area data
homogeneously at In all the above
accurate market segments
resolution. digital elevation
models are
Value added
DEM products required. The
marked dynamics
In the long run,
are vivid. Some of
the sales of basic
the end-users buy
digital elevation
DEM data others
models only cover
license them.
the operational
Some offers
costs of a
DEMs for resale.
company. The real
Presumably, the
market
value-adding
opportunity lies in
enterprise will
the value-adding
show the most
process during
rapid growth rate
which the basic
for DEM use
products are
within the next
tailored to the
decade.
requirement of an
end-user. Value-
Planning and
adding cover a construction
variety of
Desktop planning may be planned
and construction without having to
based on high send surveyors
resolution digital onsite. For
elevation models example digital
is a market for topographic data
both, the small sets facilitate
value-adding urban planning
businesses as well and enable
as the large engineers to
construction model new roads
companies. Linear within an existing
constructions like landscape context.
roads, railway
tracks, oil and gas Hydrology and
meteorological
pipelines, bridges
services including
and electric power
risk assessment
lines
For hydrological
modeling of
watersheds, it is
necessary to have
very precise and
homogenous
DEMs. Only
through the
combination of
topographic data,
land use
information,
precipitation,
water storage etc.
is a forecast on
river flooding
possible. Apart
from such
extreme events, an
ongoing analysis
of hydrological
situation is
important for the
agricultural
activities like
irrigation
management and
for power
companies when
estimating the
market of
electricity. Small forecast and flood
and medium-sized prediction.
value-adding Insurance
companies in companies are
cooperation with very interested
local and central customers of this
water kind of
management manipulated DEM
authorities can data for a client-
carry out this oriented
work. assessment of
flood risks.
It should be
possible to Geocoding of
provide services remote sensing
data
of hydrological
parameter A variety of
extraction form applications
interferometric require the
SAR data and the combination of
development of imagery of
flood forecast different sensors,
models based on seasons,
remote sensing resolutions or
and digital frequencies. For
elevation data. these purposes,
Examples of such the remotely
parameters are sensed data sets
flow paths and need to be
slope that may geocoded,
serve as input into meaning that each
a rainfall-runoff pixel in an image
model for flood will be

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Applicatio
ns of
Digital
Elevation
Models --
DYNAMA
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paper",
2000
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DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

transformed from where DEMs of

its sensor sufficient
dependent relative accuracy does not
grid system exists for
position to its geocoding
absolute purposes, this
geographic process has to be
coordinates. If this subcontracted.
is not or rather SRTM DEMs for
insufficiently example may
performed, any prove beneficial
quantitative for geocoding
interpretation of ERS or Envisat
remote sensing products in cases
data will render where no other
erroneous results. digital elevation
In the case of side models are
looking sensors, available for the
the transformation area under study.
from slant to
ground range is INDUSTRIAL
extremely APPLICATIONS
important, For industrial
especially of applications
terrain with large digital elevation
relief. Neglecting models are used
the influence of for development
image geometry of market-oriented
distortions caused product
by topographical technology,
effects will results improved services
in a great loss of and to increase the
detailed economic
information or in outcome of the
the worst case in industrial
incorrect analysis production. Such
results. The applications are
providers of found within e.g.
satellite data the Telecom,
usually carry out Telematics,
this kind of value- Avionics, Mining,
adding. However, Mineral
in many cases, exploration,
Tourism and • macro cell
Engineering planning
industry. (area grid
cells ranging
Telecom industry from 3-5km
The with elevated
telecommunicatio base
n sector transceiver
encompasses stations)
manufacturers,
wireless service • micro cell
providers and planning
operators. About (mainly
60% of all DEM applied in
sales in Europe central parts
are to the of large
telecommunicatio cities)
n industry (GIS
Europe 1996). • clutter data
Topographic data (land use
are used for information
in the
telecommunic
ation
industry)

Typically the
databases of 100m
grid elevation data
are used for macro
cell planning
while detailed 5-
10 m elevation
data are used for
micro cell
planning. Tools
are developed for
modeling
multitransmitter
communication
networks and for
aid in positioning
of radio towers.
Such tools
strongly rely on
the availability of
recent DEMs and
land use
information
supplied by value- Avionics industry
adding By combining
companies. land use data and
terrain height
Actual digital information with
elevation models airport databases,
are required for value-adding
determining software
optimal locations companies are
for transmitting able to provide
masts for all avionics industry
forms of with an important
terrestrial radio tool for collision
signal avoidance
propagation. systems, ground
Based on e.g. the proximity warning
SAR data of the and flight
SRTM, DEMs management
will be calculated systems. Flight
that have the simulators for
advantage of crew training will
showing the have a realistic
existing situation background and
"as is", with all together with real-
human-made and time in-flight GPS
natural objects positioning
that might impede information air
radio wave traffic will
transmission. become safer.

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Applicatio
ns of
Digital
Elevation
Models --
DYNAMA
P "White
paper",
2000
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DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

Telematics industry Great commercial

The reliability of expectations are
GPS (Global associated with
Positioning the expanding
System) market of car
navigation navigation
applications, e.g., systems and
for automobiles digital road map.
and aircraft, Here the most
depends on actual important
and precise data, information for
too. The the user remains
topographic data the horizontal
of SRTM are plane,
captured and nonetheless,
processed in order terrain height is
to maintain used by the
compatibility with mapping industry
the global co- to estimate
ordinate system elevation values
defined for GPS. to road segments.
Hence, clear New updated road
improvements in data however are
GPS navigation registered with an
applications are elevation value by
expected to using GPS in
progress current moving vehicles.
development.
Terrestrial data Updated basic
acquisition often data can
depends on considerably
political enhance the
decisions, in many efficiency of
cases resulting in transportation
abrupt resolution network planning.
changes in areas Computer-based
where state scenarios ease
borders meet. The analyses of
resolution of necessary
SRTM DEMs will excavations and
remain constant bridges, which are
on a global scale. primary cost
factors in the
construction of identification of
transportation oil spills on
infrastructure. A satellite imagery
realistic and other
simulation of air phenomena and
corridors to combinations
airports with leads the
actual data is prospecting
another DEM companies to
application. successful
explorations. In
Mining and oil addition to
industry
exploration
Exploration activities digital
experts are elevation models
possibly the most are also used for
experienced users monitoring the
of remote sensing exploration
data and digital consequences.
elevation models. The problems of
By analyzing “subsidence in
optical radar mining regions”,
images they for example, is
determine addressed by
promising regions Atlantis Scientific
of potential Inc. in
mineral deposits cooperation with
around the world. Shell Oil.
More and more, a
combination of Tourism industry
remote sensing With the
data, especially widespread
DEMs, with availability of
gravity maps the personal
computers in
private
households, the
value-adding
sector
increasingly turns
to expanding
private market. A
great potential
exists in the areas
of tourist and
leisure maps,
digital color-
coded satellite
maps and digital tourist
elevation models. information to
An example is the yield a tourist
CD rom “Opplev information
Norge” provided system for
by the Norwegian Norway or any
Mapping specific region.
Authority. Further, the users
Although still are able to inform
only using 2D themselves
maps. It should be interactively about
combined with a their potential
digital elevation vacation
model combined destination. The
with a fly-through user can extract
software that 3D visualizations
enables the user to and 3D fly-
virtually cruise through
over the terrain animations of
surface of scenic viewpoints
Norway. Other and specific
applications and scenic regions of
companies can be Norwegian nature.
found in the They can also
tourist section. extract
Portier System information on
combines 2D map infrastructure,
data, satellite accommodations,
images and leisure activities,
orthophotos with opening hours of
digital elevation restaurants and
models with more.

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Applicatio
ns of
Digital
Elevation
Models --
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P "White
paper",
2000
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DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

OPERATIONAL and other

APPLICATIONS
security-relevant
Geoinformation is applications,
a substantial part insurance issues,
of the need of health services,
modern society agriculture,
for forestry, and soil
communication conservation.
and information Operational
technologies. This applications are
data is mostly related to
increasingly used state and
throughout all governmental
levels in services and
administration, management
management and operations. DEMs
planning. may ultimately
Geoinformation is replace printed
the basis for maps as the
regional planning standard means of
and its availability portraying
the prerequisite landforms.
for decision Finally,
making processes operational users
in order to locate need DEMs for
infrastructure
development and • generating
investment. and updating
Operational geoinformatio
applications n for
include governmental
applications issues
where DEM is
• administering
used to improve
assistance in
management and
areas inflicted
planning of
by disasters
natural resources
and within areas • airline
operation safety,
of regional
and
planning,
environmental • security
relevant activities
protection, hazard (risk and hazard)
reduction, military
Below follows degrees of
some examples of intensity mapping
operational and prospecting.
applications. Remote sensing
information and
Reconnaissance digital elevation
for mineral and
water resources models deliver
basic information
A successful
on geologic
reconnaissance
structures. These
for mineral and
information
water resources is
sources are
often dependent
especially
on the
important in
opportunities of a
remote areas
synoptic view of
where coverage
many geospatial
by topographic
information
maps is limited.
sources.
Geophysical and An example is
geological finding ground
prospecting has to water resources in
be done in several Africa where
steps by drinking water
increasing resources are
scarce. German
Remotes Sensing
Center aims at
extracting ground
water relevant
information from
radar images.
Information on
hydrological
patterns,
lineaments,
morphological
structures,
tectonic and
sedimentological
anomalies are to
be extracted and
to be merged with
optical satellite
data and available
topographic and
geological maps.
Remote sensing
techniques are
being utilized to simulated
search for topography
promising bearing renders additional
grounds and to information and
designate ascertains safety,
locations of wells. particular in
High-resolution critical situation
digital elevation like in darkness
models would and under adverse
deliver much weather
needed additional conditions. The
information for detailed
the interpretation simulation of
of the ground landscape based
water relevant on accurate digital
structures and elevation model is
catchment areas, important for
e.g. for wadis. training purposes
but, more so,
Aircraft guiding the
guidance systems
– flight aircraft when
simulations approaching an
Current unsupported
investigations in airstrip, be it
the field of times of military
aircraft guidance actions or when
systems focus on attempting to
the improvements reach an
of operational undeveloped area
safety and quality. affected by natural
Today aircraft hazards or other
crews have to catastrophic
handle events. Only if the
increasingly integrated terrain
complex data are reliable
situations. The can they be
introduced

-
Applicatio
ns of
Digital
Elevation
Models --
DYNAMA
P "White
paper",
2000
9
DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

safely to such slopes; aspect

critical computation and
applications. the effect of solar
Consequently, insolation on
high accuracy and forest growth and
high resolution derivation of
are of great surface curvature
importance. related to soil
moisture
Forest planning conditions.
and management
Resent years there Planning of
has been an breakwater
constructions
increasing focus
on a sustainable Breakwaters are
management of important to
natural resources protect harbors for
like forest. Tools damages caused
have been by large ocean
developed e.g. at waves e.g. along
SINTEF applied the Norwegian
mathematics to coastline. Exact
create plans for a location of the
sustainable breakwaters is
management of important to give
forest during a maximum
longer time span. protection due to
By introducing e.g. prevailing
digital terrain wind directions.
models different Digital models of
criteria the seafloor
concerning the bottom and the
topography of the coastal zone can
forest area can be be used to
considered in the produce realistic
planning process. computer
Examples are simulations of the
calculation of optimal location
slope gradient and of breakwaters
its influence on before
erosion process construction. It is
due to clear well known that
cutting of hill seafloor
topography and combined with
coast morphology geological,
have significant vegetation and
effects on the soil information is
direction and size important to
of ocean waves at detect risk areas in
shallow water. order to prevent
building
Mass movement constructions and
and hazard
prediction where to start
specific protection
Rock fall and
actions. Such
avalanches is
information is
responsible for
also of interest for
large costs due to
insurance
reparation of
companies in
infrastructure and
determination of
buildings in
high-risk areas
addition to the
with larger
loss of life for
potential for
more catastrophic
damages and thus
events. An
exposed for
important task for
higher
the public
insurance
community is to
fees.
predict and
prevent such
Hydrology
hazardous
Flooding
events.
risk
Digital terrain
assessment
models
The modeling of
river catchment
areas necessitates
high-precision
DEMs that are
homogeneous and
not confined to
areas of the
respective water
authorities. Only
the combination
of exact
topographic data,
situational
information, data
on precipitation,
water retention
and storage
capacities enables assessment)
precise statements Disaster
as to the duration management is
and extent of often impeded by
floods caused by lacking, incorrect
rivers. Aside from or simply
such extreme imprecise
situations, a information about
continuous the situation on
monitoring of the ground. Up-to-
hydrological date and precise
phenomena is data are
useful in imperative in
agriculture, for assessing potential
example, in risks (posed by
helping making floods, for
decisions on the example), in
need for employing relief
irrigation. In personnel
coastal zones, effectively, in
disaster aid (e.g.,
DEMs can be
locating adequate
used to assess in
spots for dropping
advance the
of relief supplies)
dangers in areas
and in analyzing
exposed to
damages and
potential
changes.
inundation, and
help governments
in their task of CONCLUDING
REMARKS
maintaining open
shipping routes. The terrain
surface is 3D and
Disaster should be treated
management like that. There
(prevention, is a large gap
relief, between the

-
Application
s of Digital
Elevation
Models --
DYNAMAP
"White
paper",
2000
10
DYNAMAP " White paper", 2000

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 - Applications of Digital Elevation Models
-- DYNAMAP "White paper", 2000 11