Continuously Updated Digital Elevation Models (CUDEMs) to Support Coastal Inundation Modeling

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) generates digital elevation models (DEMs) that range from the local to global scale. Collectively, these DEMs are essential determining timing extent of coastal inundation improving community preparedness, event forecasting, warning systems. We initiated a comprehensive framework at NCEI, Continuously Updated DEM (CUDEM) Program, with seamless bare-earth, topographic-bathymetric bathymetric entire United States (U.S.) Atlantic Gulf Mexico Coasts, Hawaii, American Territories, portions U.S. Pacific Coast. CUDEMs currently highest-resolution, depiction Coasts in public domain; have spatial resolution 1/9th arc-second (~3 m) offshore coarsen 1/3rd (~10 m). independently validate land NASA’s Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument on board Ice, Cloud, Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) observatory calculate corresponding vertical mean bias error 0.12 m ± 0.75 one standard deviation, an overall RMSE 0.76 m. generate through standardized process using free open-source software (FOSS) provide open-access our code repository. CUDEM consists systematic tiled geographic extents, resolutions, horizontal datums facilitate rapid updates targeted areas new data collections, especially post-storm tsunami events. also enables incorporation high-resolution collections ingested into local-scale NOAA NCEI’s suite regional DEMs. Future research efforts will focus generation additional products, such as spatially explicit estimations morphologic change calculations, enhance utility scientific benefits Program.