Infrared Orthophotography and Lidar Mapping for Snow Study

Data from the NASA Cold Land Processes Experiment (CLPX) includes color infrared orthophotography at 6-inch pixel resolution, raw and filtered lidar elevation returns, and 0.5-meter elevation and 0.1-meter snow depth contours. The dataset is produced by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) and was last updated on the platform in March 2026. It supports research into snowpack properties and terrain modeling.

Use Cases

• Calculating snow-water equivalent using snow depth contours derived from lidar.
• Generating high-resolution digital elevation models from bare-ground filtered lidar returns.
• Classifying vegetation types and health using color infrared orthophotography.
• Creating topographic maps and relief models from 0.5-meter elevation contours.
• Analyzing snow distribution patterns over complex terrain using combined orthophoto and lidar data.

Strengths

• Includes multiple high-resolution data layers: 6-inch orthophotos, lidar point clouds, and sub-meter contours.
• Lidar data is processed into distinct layers (raw, bare ground, top of vegetation) for specific analyses.
• Dataset is hosted on multiple authoritative platforms (NASA Earthdata, Data.gov), indicating recognized importance.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and column names are not provided by any source.
• Conflicting last updated dates exist between sources (2003 vs. 2026), creating uncertainty about data currency.
• License is listed as 'other-license-specified', requiring users to check specific terms.

Provenance

Source

National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) for NASA's Cold Land Processes Experiment (CLPX).

Collection Method

Airborne remote sensing via TerrainVision® mapping systems, including aerial photography and lidar.

Time Range

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Freshness

2026-03-13 18:29:38.823944

Geography

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