Vertical accuracy assessment of SRTM and ASTER GDEM over typical regions of china using ICESat/GLAS

SRTM (shuttle radar topography mission) and ASTER GDEM (advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer global digital elevation model), the most accurate and available global DEM (digital elevation model) data, cover nearly the entire land surface of the earth. However, the precision of these DEM data has not been fully validated. This paper focuses on Chinese typical regions, aiming to verify the elevation precision of SRTM and ASTER GDEM based on ICESat / GLAS (ice, cloud, and land elevation satellite/geoscience laser altimeter system) elevation data by utilization of GIS (geographic information system) spatial analysis, 3D visualization and statistical analysis methods. The results show that SRTM elevation precision reaches 2.39 m, and ASTER GDEM precision reaches 4.83 m in the low altitude areas where the elevation value is less than 20 m. The elevation precision is higher than the specified precision in both cases. However, the precision in Southwest study area is similar to the specified precision. The established linear regression model in the present study has high goodness of fit and significant correlation, but the applicability of the model needs further study.