REMA (Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica)
Use REMA for high-resolution 2–8m elevation data across Antarctica, supporting ice sheet studies, glaciology research, and polar terrain visualization.
Format
GeoTIFF / COG
Geometry
Raster DEM
Coverage
Antarctica (60°S–90°S)
Resolution
2–8 meters (stereo satellite)
About this dataset
Polar Geospatial Center REMA at 2–8 meter resolution covering Antarctica from stereo satellite imagery, with mosaiced and strip DEM products.
REMA is a high-resolution digital elevation model of Antarctica produced by the Polar Geospatial Center using WorldView and GeoEye stereo imagery. It provides 2–8m resolution coverage of the Antarctic continent with both strip and mosaiced products. REMA is the Antarctic counterpart of ArcticDEM and is essential for ice sheet dynamics, sea level research, and polar terrain analysis.
How to download
- 1 Visit the PGC REMA data page or the AWS Open Data registry page for tile indexes and documentation.
- 2 Download the tile index shapefile and identify the 100 km x 100 km mosaic tiles covering your Antarctic study area.
- 3 Retrieve the mosaic or strip 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; use polar stereographic projections for accurate area measurements.
FAQ
What projection does REMA use?
REMA mosaic tiles are available in the WGS 84 / Antarctic Polar Stereographic (EPSG:3031) projection. Strip DEMs may use different local projections.
Can I use REMA for sea level rise studies?
Yes. REMA is widely used in glaciology and sea level research because of its high resolution and continent-wide coverage. Combine with ICESat-2 for elevation change analysis.