Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Rincon, Puerto Rico (rincon_dem)

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Rincon, Puerto Rico (rincon_dem)
Abstract:
The USGS Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data files are digital representations of cartographic information in a raster form. DEMs consist of a sampled array of elevations for a number of ground positions at regularly spaced intervals.
The DEM data for 7.5-minute units correspond to the USGS 1:24,000- and 1:25,000-scale topographic quadrangle map series for all of the United States and its territories. Each 7.5-minute DEM is based on 30- by 30-meter data spacing with the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection. Each 7.5- by 7.5-minute block provides the same coverage as the standard USGS 7.5-minute map series.
The UTM-based 7.5-minute DEM data are available for most of the contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Thieler, E. Robert, 2007, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Rincon, Puerto Rico (rincon_dem): Open-File Report 2007-1017, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Thieler, E.R., Rodriguez, R.W., and Himmelstoss, E.A., 2007, Historical Shoreline Changes at Rincon, Puerto Rico, 1936-2005: Open-File Report 2007-1017, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -67.315524
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -67.180676
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.430146
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.241287
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 2007
    Currentness_Reference:
    information not available from original metadata
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster digital data
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Raster data set. It contains the following raster data types:
      • Dimensions 4154 x 2811 x 1, type Grid Cell
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
      UTM_Zone_Number: 19
      Transverse_Mercator:
      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -69.000000
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.000000
      False_Easting: 500000.000000
      False_Northing: 0.000000
      Planar coordinates are encoded using row and column
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 5.000000
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 5.000000
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters
      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • E. Robert Thieler
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    E. Robert Thieler
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2350 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    rthieler@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

The digital cartographic/geographic data files are produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as part of the National Mapping Program. Five DEM tiles were used to complate a subset DEM of the Rincon area in Puerto Rico.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    information unavailable from original metadata (source 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey, unknown, USGS Digital Elevation Model (DEM).

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: information unavailable from original metadata
    Source_Contribution: information unavailable from original metadata
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: unknown (process 1 of 5)
    The 7.5-minute DEM data are produced in 7.5- by 7.5-minute blocks either from digitized cartographic map contour overlays or from scanned National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) photographs. Interpolations are produced from digital line graph (DLG) hypsographic and hydrographic data. Person who carried out this activity:
    EROS Data Center
    Customer Services
    Sioux Falls, SD

    605-594-6151 (voice)
    605-594-6589 (FAX)
    custserv@usgs.gov
    Date: unknown (process 2 of 5)
    Five tiles (134.txt, 135.txt, 168.txt, 169.txt, 202.txt) provided by the USGS were used to complete a subset DEM of the Rincon area. These data were received projected horizontally to UTM Zone 19N, NAD83, GRS80, meters and vertically to GRS80 Ellipsoid heights (meters). Features were converted to a raster grid using the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension (5-meter grid cell). Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: E. Robert Thieler
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2350 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    rthieler@usgs.gov
    Date: unknown (process 3 of 5)
    To best approximate Mean Sea Level (MSL), a second dataset of GEOID99 geoid heights was created using the National Geodetic Surveys Tool Kit (http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/TOOLS/). Each of the five point files were re-projected to geographic coordinates (Lat/Long) to facilitate use with the Tool Kit and input into the application. The resulting output (x,y,z) was then linked back to the original UTM coordinates in MicroSoft Access . Features were again converted to a raster grid using Spatial Analyst. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: E. Robert Thieler
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2262 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    rthieler@usgs.gov
    Date: unknown (process 4 of 5)
    The raster calculator was then used to provide the final DEM subset by subtracting the GEOID99 geoid heights from the GRS80 Ellipsoid heights, providing an updated z-value at each x,y location. These data were then clipped to the coastline boundary, excluding all ocean pixels. Note that all ocean pixels (no data) were recoded to zero (0) to resolve errors when using the DEM in the geometric correction (i.e., the program does not know how to resolve image portions that overlay onto no data areas). Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: E. Robert Thieler
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2350 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    rthieler@usgs.gov
    Date: 19-Aug-2021 (process 5 of 5)
    The metadata was edited to remove errors as well as update some information. Edits include updating the citation section with the DOI link and a slight modification to the dataset title, added the USGS Thesaurus, added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword, replaced distribution liability with FSP statement. Other unrequired blank fields were deleted, duplicate entries within a field were deleted, required empty elements were fixed with “information unavailable from original metadata”. The metadata date (20070222), but not the contact (except email and contact instructions) was updated. The metadata available from a harvester may supersede metadata available from the publication. Compare the metadata dates to determine which metadata file is most recent. The metadata available from a harvester may supersede metadata available from the publication. Compare the metadata dates to determine which metadata file is most recent. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    A representative sampling of test points is used to verify the accuracy of a DEM. A minimum number of 28 test points per DEM is required (20 interior points and 8 edge points). Specific standards regarding statistical accuracy and related testing criteria are described in Standards for Digital Elevation Models Part 2, Specifications, section 2.1.4 (http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/nmpstds/demstds.html).
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Horizontal accuracy of DEM data is dependent upon the horizontal spacing of the elevation matrix. Within a standard DEM, most terrain features are generalized by being reduced to grid nodes spaced at regular intersections in the horizontal plane. This generalization reduces the ability to recover positions of specific features less than the internal spacing during testing and results in a de facto filtering or smoothing of the surface during gridding.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    The vertical accuracy of 7.5-minute DEMs is equal to or better than 15 meters. A minimum of 28 test points per DEM is required (20 interior points and 8 edge points). The accuracy of the 7.5-minute DEM data, together with the data spacing, adequately support computer applications that analyze hypsographic features to a level of detail similar to manual interpretations of information as printed at map scales not larger than 1:24,000-scale.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    These data have been clipped to the coastline boundary and exclude all ocean pixel values contained within the original data.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    The computer program, DEM VERIFY, is the standard software used to verify the logical and physical format as part of the data base entry procedure for the original DEM files provided by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Validation by this software applies to all DEM software systems of the USGS and other government agencies or contractors whose data are intended for submission to the NDCDB. In all cases where the integrity of the logical or physical DEM structure is in question, DEM VERIFY is the standard software for format verification.
    Additional testing is performed using a DEM Editing System (DES) to aid in the identification of blunders such as irregularly gridded data, mistagging of tops and depressions, and spikes. These blunders are generally identified by displaying the DEM with the aid of DES options, which include color banding of elevation gradients, stereoscopic viewing using anaglyphic filters, and shaded-relief enhancement. An elevation matrix is analyzed in suspect areas and corrected as required.
    Additional checks for Mean Sea Level were performed on the five input DEM tiles by comparing the vertical GRS80 Ellipsoid heights with a GEOID99 dataset from NOAA.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the dataset.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    E. Robert Thieler
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2350 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    rthieler@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
  4. How can I download or order the data?
  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    These data are available in Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Raster GRID format. The user must have software capable of importing and processing the data file.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 01-Sep-2021
Metadata author:
Emily Himmelstoss
U.S. Geological Survey
Geologist
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA
USA

508-548-8700 x2262 (voice)
508-457-2310 (FAX)
whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov
Contact_Instructions:
The metadata contact email address is a generic address in the event the metadata contact is no longer with the USGS.
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/open_file_report/ofr2007-1017/rincon_dem_meta.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Tue Sep 21 18:20:22 2021