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.

Relative elevation model (REM) of Birch Creek, a tributary to the Yukon River, Alaska, USA. (NW to the left)

By Emily Zawacki

OpenTopography is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation to facilitate access to topographic data for Earth and other scientific research and education. We closely track peer-reviewed publications that utilize OpenTopography data and services as they are an important measure of our impact. To better highlight new results that demonstrate the use and reuse of OpenTopography data and processing, we will periodically be featuring new results in a blog post.

By Emily Zawacki

Lidar (light detection and ranging) is a common remote sensing technique used to create high-resolution three-dimensional models of landscapes and built features. Lidar uses laser pulses to measure distances to the ground or other features. Traditionally, lidar scanners are mounted to airborne or terrestrial platforms, but we now have the power of lidar in our own hands.