Comparison of digital elevation models through the analysis of geomorphic surface remnants in the Desatoya Mountains, Nevada

Abstract

AbstractThis article explores the advantages and limitations of open‐source digital elevation models (DEMs) generated from various acquisition methods and at various spatial resolutions, through extracting geomorphic surface remnants in a semi‐arid, mountainous topographic environment. Even if the tested models have well‐known vertical accuracy and precision, their reliability for peak detection is still waiting to be studied. In this research, we investigate peaks as remnants of degraded geomorphic surfaces. Peaks of surface remnants can help to reconstruct geomorphic surfaces and evaluate DEM applicabilities, since they can enhance the identification of overall accuracy. Our methodology uses a well‐known open‐source GRASS GIS Geomorphons module (r.geomorphon) on several recently released and widely used DEMs covering the Desatoya Mountains study area. We conclude that, despite the characteristic differences in the accuracy of the analyzed DEMs, all of those examined proved to be appropriate to detect surface remnants.