DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL VALIDATION WITH NO GROUND CONTROL: APPLICATION TO THE TOPODATA DEM IN BRAZIL
Abstract
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) validation is often carried out by comparing the
data with a set of ground control points. However, the quality of a DEM can also be
considered in terms of shape realism. Beyond visual analysis, it can be verified that
physical and statistical properties of the terrestrial relief are fulfilled. This approach
is applied to an extract of Topodata, a DEM obtained by resampling the SRTM
DEM over the Brazilian territory with a geostatistical approach. Several statistical
indicators are computed, and they show that the quality of Topodata in terms of
shape rendering is improved with regards to SRTM.
data with a set of ground control points. However, the quality of a DEM can also be
considered in terms of shape realism. Beyond visual analysis, it can be verified that
physical and statistical properties of the terrestrial relief are fulfilled. This approach
is applied to an extract of Topodata, a DEM obtained by resampling the SRTM
DEM over the Brazilian territory with a geostatistical approach. Several statistical
indicators are computed, and they show that the quality of Topodata in terms of
shape rendering is improved with regards to SRTM.
Keywords
Digital Elevation Model; Topodata; SRTM DEM
