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What new technologies or applications are being developed to expand the use and capabilities of digital elevation models?

Petra Teasdale

Hey there!

There are several new technologies and applications being developed to expand the use and capabilities of digital elevation models (DEM). DEMs are digital representations of the Earth's terrain that show the elevation of the surface, and they are used in a wide range of applications, from geological and environmental modeling to civil engineering and military operations.

One of the emerging technologies in this field is LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanning. This technology uses lasers to measure the distance between the sensor and the surface below it, creating a highly accurate 3D model of the terrain. LiDAR is becoming increasingly popular for creating high-resolution DEMs for large areas, such as entire countries or continents, which were previously difficult or impossible to map at such high resolution.

Another technology that is expanding the capabilities of DEMs is machine learning. With the huge amounts of data that are being collected and analyzed by researchers and organizations, algorithms can be used to identify patterns and make predictions about the future behavior of the terrain. For example, machine learning can be used to predict landslides, soil erosion, or flooding, which can help to mitigate the risks and plan for these events.

In addition, new applications are constantly being developed to utilize DEMs in innovative ways. One such application is virtual reality (VR), which allows users to explore and interact with 3D models of the terrain in a realistic and engaging way. Virtual reality is being used in fields such as architecture and urban planning to visualize buildings in their surrounding environment, or to simulate the effects of natural disasters on the built environment.

Another application of DEMs that is gaining popularity is augmented reality (AR), which overlays digital information onto real-world environments. AR can be used to show users the elevation and topography of the terrain in real-time, which can be useful in outdoor activities such as hiking or mountaineering. AR can also be used in construction and engineering to visualize how buildings or structures will interact with the surrounding environment.

Finally, there are also efforts to incorporate other types of data into DEMs, such as satellite imagery, weather data, or social media data. By combining these different sources of data, researchers and organizations can create more accurate and comprehensive models of the terrain, which can be used for a wide range of applications.

These are just a few examples of the new technologies and applications that are being developed to expand the use and capabilities of digital elevation models. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative applications to emerge in the future.