Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are a type of raster GIS layer. In a DEM, each cell of raster GIS
layer has a value corresponding to its elevation (z-values at regularly spaced intervals). DEM
data files contain the elevation of the terrain over a specified area, usually at a fixed grid
interval over the “Bare Earth”. The intervals between each of the grid points will always be
referenced to some geographical coordinate system (latitude and longitude or UTM (Universal
Transverse Mercator) coordinate systems (Easting and Northing). For more detailed the
information in DEM data file, it is necessary that grid points are closer together. The details of
the peaks and valleys in the terrain will be better modeled with small grid spacing than when
the grid intervals are very large.
In short: DEM is used to refer specifically to a raster or regular grid of spot heights.
3 Meter Digital Surface Model (DSM) for 5 Km Wide Pipeline Corridor. Source: SIC
There is a variety of DEM source data available for developed areas and the suitability of this
available data is depending on the project specifications. In remote regions around the World,
were little or no source Data is available, the DEM can be produced by automatic DEM
extraction from stereo satellite scenes, from Satellite sensors such as IKONOS (2-5m
resolution), SPOT-5 (5-10m res.) and ASTER (15-25m res.).
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) — Eritrea, Africa — IKONOS Image
INPUT TO GENERATE DEM
Following are the input source to generate DEM.
Ground Control Points (GCPs).
Contours.
Triangulate Irregular Network (TIN).
The DEM can also be provided from Stereo digital aerial photography at various resolutions,
depending on the quality and scale of the aerial photography.
TYPES OF DEM
A DEM can be represented as a raster (a grid of squares, also known as a heightmap when
representing elevation) or as a vector-based triangular irregular network (TIN).
Heightmap of Earth’s surface (including water and ice) in equirectangular projection, normalized
as 8-bit grayscale, where lighter values indicate higher elevation.
Source: Wikipedia
Triangulated Irregular Network
Digital Terrain Model
A digital terrain model (DTM) can be described as a three – dimensional representation of a
terrain surface consisting of X, Y, Z coordinates stored in digital form. It includes not only
heights and elevations but other geographical elements and natural features such as rivers,
ridge lines, etc. A DTM is effectively a DEM that has been augmented by elements such as
breaklines and observationsother than the original data to correct for artifacts produced by
using only the original data. With the increasing use of computers in engineering and the
development of fast three-dimensional computer graphics the DTM is becoming a powerful
tool for a great number of applications in the earth and the engineering sciences.
Digital Elevation Model
For practical purpose this “Bare Earth” DEM is generally synonymous with a Digital Terrain
Model (DTM).
DEM is far cheaper to produce an a DTM.
Quality and Accuracy of DEM/DTM
The quality of a DEM/DTM is a measure of how accurate elevation is at each pixel (absolute
accuracy) and how accurately is the morphology presented (relative accuracy). Several factors
play an important role for quality of DEM-derived products:
terrain roughness;
sampling density (elevation data collection method);
grid resolution or pixel size;
interpolation algorithm;
vertical resolution;
terrain analysis algorithm;
Reference 3D products include quality masks that give information on the coastline, lake,
snow, clouds, correlation etc.
Common uses of DEMs
Extracting terrain parameters.
Modeling water flow or mass movement (for example, landslides).
Creation of relief maps.
Rendering of 3D visualizations
Creation of physical models (including raised-relief maps).
Rectification of aerial photography or satellite imagery.
Reduction (terrain correction) of gravity measurements (gravimetry, physical geodesy).
Terrain analyses in geomorphology and physical geography.
Now let’s a have a look what is Digital Surface Model (DSM).
Digital Surface Model (DSM)
Digital Surface Model (DSM) represents the MSL elevations of the reflective surfaces of trees,
buildings, and other features elevated above the “Bare Earth”.
Digital Surface Model (DSM)
In short: digital surface model represents the earth’s surface and includes all objects on it.
How DEM/DTM is Different from DSM
Now I am leaving on you to check out the difference between DTM/DEM and DSM. Given
below are two figures to help you out.
Figure 1
Figure 2
