ArcticDEM: High-Resolution Digital Elevation Models of the Arctic, 2007-Present

2007 to the present, the ArcticDEM project provides 2-meter resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and mosaics for the Arctic region. The data is constructed from high-resolution imagery from the Maxar satellite constellation and is produced by the Polar Geospatial Center. The dataset includes both time-dependent strip files for change detection and assembled mosaic tiles for broader area coverage.

Use Cases

• Detecting topographic changes in glaciers and ice sheets based on time-series strip DEMs.
• Modeling terrain and hydrology for large Arctic regions based on comprehensive mosaic DEM tiles.
• Comparing seasonal and inter-annual variations in snow cover and permafrost based on multi-temporal observations.
• Creating high-resolution base maps for scientific expeditions and infrastructure planning in the Arctic.

Strengths

• Provides 2-meter ground sample distance (GSD) resolution, which is high for regional elevation data.
• Covers a temporal range from 2007 to the present, enabling longitudinal analysis.
• Data is derived from high-resolution (~0.5 meter) optical satellite imagery from the Maxar constellation.
• Offers both strip files for temporal analysis and mosaic tiles for area-wide consistency.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and total dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Polar Geospatial Center

Collection Method

Constructed from in-track and cross-track high-resolution imagery acquired by the Maxar satellite constellation.

Time Range

2007 to the present

Freshness

null

Geography

Arctic region