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Coastal Elevation Mapping


Graphic illustration of an aircraft collecting data

Elevation is a primary data layer for management activities in the coastal zone, including conservation, development, planning, and safety. For large-scale projects, remote sensing technologies can provide elevation data at high resolutions and accuracies. These technologies include Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IfSAR or InSAR).

Coastal Elevations and Uses

High-resolution elevation data sets provide important information for the coastal management community, since in coastal areas, a change in elevation of one foot can make huge differences in habitats and human safety. For example, a difference in elevation of a few centimeters in low-lying marshes can control the limits of entire habitats. Similarly, dune elevations are a primary factor in coastal storm protection, and areas with slightly lower elevations can be at significantly higher risk of damage.

High-resolution data are now being used for many applications:

  • Floodplain mapping
  • Storm surge and tsunami modeling
  • Sea level rise scenarios
  • Shoreline mapping and change analysis
  • Planning and development
  • Emergency response

To address these needs in coastal communities, the NOAA Coastal Services Center, in partnership with state and local governments, continues to acquire high-resolution topographic and bathymetric data. The primary goal is to work with and provide data to the coastal resource management community, as well as to help practitioners use the information to answer specific questions.

Join the Coastal Elevation Listserver to stay in touch with the community of practitioners providing and applying high-resolution elevation data in coastal areas.