OT Blog

Information and discussion related to high-resolution lidar topography for the Earth sciences

Exploring Topographic Change with 3D Prints

By Emily Zawacki

3D prints of landscapes provide a three-dimensional tactile way to explore the Earth’s surface and learn about the geologic processes that shape it. We can use topography data and create 3D prints of landscapes from digital elevation models. With 3D printing technologies, there is the potential for exploring areas of topographic change in a three-dimensional tactile way by creating 3D prints from pre- and post-event topography.

Students use OpenTopography to evaluate how well mapping of Earth’s surface features can predict earthquake surface rupture

By Emily Zawacki

In regions with a high earthquake hazard, determining where and how Earth’s surface may move and break in an earthquake is crucial in hazard analysis and risk mitigation. While certain regulations may prohibit structures from being built along or near active faults, not all faults are known, and some structures may be required to cross faults, putting them at risk from displacement at Earth’s surface.

Highlight: February-May 2023 publications using OpenTopography datasets

by Emily Zawacki and Chelsea Scott

OpenTopography periodically highlights new research results that demonstrate the use and reuse of data from OpenTopography. These four publications highlight topographic research applications in geomorphology, earthquakes, coastal processes, and ecology and conservation.

OpenTopography 2022 Community Survey Review

OpenTopography conducted a survey of its user community to gain feedback on existing services, prioritize new development and to enhance existing services, and track evolving community needs. The survey was developed by the OpenTopography Advisory Committee, and was distributed to OpenTopography users via our email newsletter. A total of 523 users responded to the survey. The results of the survey are summarized as follows.

Of the respondents, approximately 40% work in academia, 34% work in the private sector or industry, and 13% work in government.

New Raster Visualization Tools in OpenTopography

We recently released a completely new version of OpenTopography's raster (i.e., digital elevation models (DEM)) visualization service. Raster visualization was one of the oldest processing services in OpenTopography, and it's very valuable for quickly and easily getting an overview of the requested topographic data. We're happy to announce that the new version was rewritten to improve performance and expand the number of derivative products and visualizations that are available.

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