Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)

What is LiDAR?

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create high-resolution 3D models of the Earth's surface. LiDAR is widely used in forestry, urban planning, and environmental monitoring due to its ability to capture precise elevation data and detailed surface structures.

LiDAR Use Cases

LiDAR technology is revolutionizing geospatial data collection with its ability to generate highly accurate and detailed 3D models of the Earth's surface. LiDAR is widely used in forestry to assess vegetation structure, canopy height, and biomass, aiding in sustainable forest management. In infrastructure development, LiDAR helps create precise topographic maps for road and railway planning. Archaeologists use LiDAR to uncover hidden structures and analyze historical sites beneath dense vegetation. LiDAR also plays a crucial role in environmental monitoring, including coastline erosion studies and disaster management, providing critical data for resilience planning and risk assessment.

Free LiDAR Data Sources

USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP)

https://www.usgs.gov/3d-elevation-program

OpenTopography

https://opentopography.org/

NOAA Digital Coast

https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/data/coastallidar.html

US Interagency Elevation Inventory (IEI)

https://coast.noaa.gov/inventory/

The National Map (TNM)

https://apps.nationalmap.gov/lidar-explorer/#/

European Data Portal

https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets?query=lidar