2.4: Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

A digital elevation model (DEM) Links to an external site. is a 3D computer generated representation of the surface of Earth, planetary body, moon, asteroid, etc. (Figure 2.4). DEMs are commonly built using data collected by remote sensing Links to an external site. techniques, but they may also be built from land surveying.

Color relief map for the topography of California.

Figure 2.4: The diversity of landforms that make up the state of California. Color coding is directly related to topographic height, with blue and green at the lower elevations, rising through yellow and brown to white at the highest elevations (Public Domain; NASA/JPL/NIMA Links to an external site.).