Digital surface model vs digital terrain model
IFSAR Alaska ProductsĮlevation products generated from IFSAR data include Digital Surface Model (DSM) and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) data.ĭSMs provide elevation values of landscape features on the earth's surface. A coverage map in EarthExplorer indicates the extent of distributable data. Additional areas may become available as projects are inspected for quality and released for dissemination. Airborne IFSAR data were flown over south-central Alaska in summer 2010 and over northwestern Alaska in 2012. This radar mapping technology is an effective tool for collecting data under challenging circumstances such as cloud cover, extreme weather conditions, rugged terrain, and remote locations. AMI coordinates Federal activities through the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee (AMEC) and State efforts through Alaska’s Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative (SDMI) to ensure a unified approach for consistent data acquisition and enhancement of elevation data products.ĪMI attained interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) data to generate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) developed the Alaska Mapping Initiative (AMI) to collaborate with State and other Federal partners in Alaska to acquire 3-dimensional elevation data to improve statewide topographic mapping products. Susitna Flats State Game Refuge (July 2010)(Public domain)