ArcticDEM
Use ArcticDEM for high-resolution 2–5m elevation data in the Arctic, ideal for glacier monitoring, permafrost studies, and infrastructure planning above 60°N.
Format
GeoTIFF / COG
Geometry
Raster DEM
Coverage
Arctic region (60°N–90°N)
Resolution
2–5 meters (stereo satellite)
About this dataset
Polar Geospatial Center ArcticDEM at 2–5 meter resolution covering the Arctic from stereo satellite imagery, with void-filled mosaics and strip DEMs.
ArcticDEM is a high-resolution digital elevation model produced by the Polar Geospatial Center (PGC) using stereo imagery from WorldView and GeoEye satellites. It provides 2–5m resolution coverage of the Arctic (60°N and above) with both strip DEMs and mosaiced, void-filled tiles. Data is available through the PGC portal and an AWS public bucket.
How to download
- 1 Visit the PGC ArcticDEM data page for tile indexes and documentation, or use the AWS Open Data bucket for direct access.
- 2 Download the tile index shapefile and identify the tiles covering your study area in the Arctic.
- 3 Retrieve the strip or mosaic DEM files from the PGC portal (with login) or the AWS S3 bucket (no login).
- 4 Process the high-resolution GeoTIFF or COG files in QGIS or GDAL; be prepared for large file sizes at 2–5m resolution.
FAQ
What is the difference between ArcticDEM strip and mosaic products?
Strip DEMs are individual overlapping scenes from single satellite passes at full resolution (~2m), while mosaics are blended, void-filled composites at slightly lower resolution (~5m) for seamless coverage.
Is ArcticDEM free to download?
Yes. ArcticDEM is produced with U.S. National Science Foundation funding and is public domain. Access via the PGC portal requires registration, while the AWS public bucket requires no login.