Abstract
Abstract. In 2016, the first processing of the semi-global digital surface models (DSMs) utilizing all the archives of stereo imageries derived from the Panchromatic Remote sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM) onboard the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) was successfully completed. The dataset was freely released to the public in 30 m grid spacing as the ‘ALOS World 3D - 30m (AW3D30)’, which was generated from its original version processed in 5 m or 2.5 m grid spacing. The dataset has been updated since then to improve the absolute/relative height accuracies with additional calibrations. However, the most significant update that should be applied for improving the data usability is the filling of void areas, which correspond to approx. 10% of semiglobal coverage, mostly due to cloud covers. In 2020, we completed the filling process by using other open-access digital elevation models (DEMs) such as Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Global DEM (ASTER GDEM), ArcticDEM, etc., except for Antarctica. In this paper, we report on the filling process of the remaining voids in Antarctica by using other open-access DEMs such as Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA) DSM, TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement (TanDEM-X, TDX) 90m DEM, and ASTER GDEM to complete the void-free semi-global AW3D30 datasets.
Highlights
The elevation map of terrain is one of the essential data for many geoscience applications e.g., ortho-photo processing, infrastructure design, disaster monitoring, natural resources survey, and so on
In 2019, we proceeded to another significant update, the filling of void areas, which correspond to approx. 10 % of the semi-global land coverage
We report on the filling process of the remaining voids in Antarctica to complete the void-free semi-global ALOS World 3D 30m (AW3D30) datasets
Summary
The elevation map of terrain is one of the essential data for many geoscience applications e.g., ortho-photo processing, infrastructure design, disaster monitoring, natural resources survey, and so on. In 2016, the first processing of semi-global digital surface models (DSMs) utilizing all the archives of triplet stereo imageries derived from the Panchromatic Remote sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM) onboard the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) was successfully completed (Takaku et al, 2016). The void areas are mainly distributed in the equator zone and high-latitude zones due to the heavy cloud coverage on the tropical rainforest areas and the snow/ice on the polar areas respectively in source PRISM imageries. In Antarctica, more than a half of the whole continent including large ice shelves are voids due to the heavy cloud and snow/ice coverage in the source imageries of PRISM. We report on the filling process of the remaining voids in Antarctica to complete the void-free semi-global AW3D30 datasets
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