Skip to main content
Skip to site search

Cordova, Alaska 8/15 arc-second MHHW Coastal Digital Elevation Model

browse graphicThumbnail of DEM
NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) is building high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) to support individual coastal States as part of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program's (NTHMP) efforts to improve community preparedness and hazard mitigation. These integrated bathymetric-topographic DEMs are used to support tsunami and coastal inundation mapping. Bathymetric, topographic, and shoreline data used in DEM compilation are obtained from various sources, including NGDC, the U.S. National Ocean Service (NOS), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other federal, state, and local government agencies, academic institutions, and private companies. DEMs are referenced to various vertical and horizontal datums depending on the specific modeling requirements of each State. For specific datum information on each DEM, refer to the appropriate DEM documentation. Cell sizes also vary depending on the specification required by modelers in each State, but typically range from 8/15 arc-second (~16 meters) to 8 arc-seconds (~240 meters).
  • Cite as: NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. 2009: Cordova, Alaska 8/15 arc-second MHHW Coastal Digital Elevation Model. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [date].
  • NCEI Metadata ID: gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.dem:640
gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.dem:640
XML
Search Data
  • DEM text search (search)
    Text search for locating completed and planned DEMs.
  • Bathymetric Data Viewer (search)
    The Bathymetric Data Viewer is an interactive map providing discovery, descriptions, and download capability for bathymetric survey data and digital elevation models archived at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • netCDF (Version: 1)
    • File Specification: netCDF
  • netCDF (Version: 4 Classic)
Ordering InstructionsContact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
DistributorNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact DEM Information
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
dem.info@noaa.gov
Time Period1902-01-01 to 2008-01-01
Spatial Reference Systemurn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326MHHW
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
N: 60.75
S: 60.49
E: -145.49
W: -145.93
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2009-04-20
EditionFirst
Data Presentation FormmapDigital
Dataset Progress StatusComplete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
PurposeDeveloped for the University of Alaska at Fairbanks (UAF), Geophysical Institute for tsunami and coastal inundation modeling efforts for the State of Alaska.
Use Limitations
  • Not to be used for navigation. Although these data are of high quality and useful for planning and modeling purposes, they are not suitable for navigation. For navigation, please refer to the NOS nautical chart series.
  • Produced by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. 2009: Cordova, Alaska 8/15 arc-second MHHW Coastal Digital Elevation Model. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
  • NOAA National Geophysical Data Center
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Seafloor Topography
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Bathymetry
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Water Depth
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Topography > Terrain Elevation
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Topography > Terrain Elevation > Topographical Relief Maps
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coastal Elevation
Uncontrolled
  • Coastal Relief
  • Gridded elevations
  • Integrated bathymetry and topography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Service Keywords
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS > WEB-BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
  • DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING > DATA SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > VISUALIZATION/IMAGE PROCESSING
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Service Keywords
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS > WEB-BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
  • DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING > DATA SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > VISUALIZATION/IMAGE PROCESSING
Data Center keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Models/Analyses > DEM > Digital Elevation Model
Place keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States of America > Alaska
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean > Gulf of Alaska
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Sea Floor
Uncontrolled
  • Prince William Sound
Project keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System
  • NOAA OneStop Project
Data Resolution keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • < 1 meter
Use Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Other ConstraintsCite as: NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. 2009: Cordova, Alaska 8/15 arc-second MHHW Coastal Digital Elevation Model. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [date].
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processor
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Processing Steps
  • 2009-01-15T00:00:00 - All datasets obtained by NGDC were converted to common horizontal and vertical datums of WGS84 geographic and Mean Higher High Water, respectively, using FME. They were also converted to common file format, ESRI point shapefiles, for visualization and inspection.
  • 2009-01-29T00:00:00 - Datasets were visually inspected with ArcGIS for identification and editing of data anomalies. Datasets were then compared with overlapping datasets to ensure data consistency.
  • 2009-02-12T00:00:00 - xyz files of the bathymetric data were surfaced using GMT's 'surface' tool onto a 8/15 arc-second grid that interpolated to fill empty cells. Points extracted every 10 meters along the coastline were also included to ensure that the bathymetric grid reached zero at the coast. The resulting Arc ASCII grid was imported into ArcGIS and clipped to the coastline to remove values over land.
  • 2009-02-26T00:00:00 - xyz files for each input dataset were gridded using MB-System's 'mbgrid' tool, which utilizes a high-tension spline interpolation method to fill grid cells with no input elevation values. Preferential weighting was given to more recent, higher-accuracy datasets. Gridding was performed with a 5% data buffer. The grid was imported in ArcGIS to create the final DEM.
  • 2009-03-12T00:00:00 - The DEM was quantitatively evaluated by comparing with source datasets. It was visually evaluated by converting to UTM-zone coordinates (units of meters horizontally and vertically) and then creating a slope grid to identify gridding artifacts in the DEM.
Processing EnvironmentNative Dataset Environment: Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.2 (Build 3790) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.2.4.1420
Source Datasets
  • NOS Hydrographic Surveys
    • NOS Hydrographic Survey Database (download)
      Digital database of NOS hydrographic surveys that date back to the late 19th century.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: hydrographic surveys downloaded from web site. ; Source Type: online
    • Temporal extent used: 1902-01-01 to 2006-01-01
  • USACE Hydrographic Surveys
    • USACE Alaska District Hydrographic Surveys (download)
      Digital database of hydrographic surveys in Alaska
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Hydrographic surveys downloaded from web site. ; Source Type: online
    • Time Instant: 2006-01-01
  • Electronic Navigational Charts
    • OCS Electronic Navigational Charts (download)
      Digital database of NOAA nautical chart information.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: downloaded from web site. ; Source Type: online
    • Time Instant: 2008-01-01
  • NGDC Multibeam Surveys
    • NGDC Multibeam Survey Database (download)
      Digital database of NGDC multibeam surveys.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: multibeam surveys downloaded from web site. ; Source Type: online
    • Temporal extent used: 1996-01-01 to 2004-01-01
  • NGDC Trackline Surveys
    • NGDC Trackline Survey Database (download)
      Digital database of NGDC Trackline surveys.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Trackline surveys downloaded from web site. ; Source Type: online
    • Temporal extent used: 1970-01-01 to 1999-01-01
  • USGS NED topography
    • USGS National Elevation Dataset (download)
      Digital database of U.S. topography, in raster form (DEM)
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: gridded topographic data ; Source Type: online
    • Time Instant: 2006-01-01
  • Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)
    • Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (download)
      global topography
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: gridded topographic data downloaded from web site. ; Source Type: on web
    • Time Instant: 2000-01-01
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
    Platform
    • Digital Elevation Model
    Operation
    • NTHMP DEM Gridding Project
    Last Modified: 2022-03-25
    For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov