Accuracy assessment of a global elevation model using Shuttle Laser Altimeter data

The US Geological Survey's global elevation model, GTOPO30, has elevations posted approximately every 1 kilometer. The accuracy of GTOPO30 varies spatially due to the 8 different sources used to produce it, and the estimated accuracy is based on characteristics of the sources. High accuracy Shuttle Laser Altimeter (SLA) data were used as an independent source for assessing the absolute vertical accuracy of GTOPO30. Results show that some areas of GTOPO30 are more accurate than previously estimated, while for other areas the accuracy is less than that which had been stated in the data set documentation. Future analysis with additional SLA data will lead to a more comprehensive assessment of GTOPO30.