In-depth evaluation of six free&open global high-resolution DEMs using a novel, statistically sound framework highlighting the superiority of the Copernicus DEM

This report presents results of an intercomparison of Digital Elevation Models (DEM) carried out under the auspices of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). A DEM is a fundamental geospatial input layer for a wide range of Earth Sciences. A variety of different products have become available over the past decade. However, selecting the best possible solution for a specific application is no longer a simple task and often users lack knowledge and resources to make informed choices. The Digital Elevation Model Intercomparison eXercise (DEMIX) set out to address this deficit. Through community wide calls for participation the initiative assembled a group of experts contributing on a voluntary basis over a period of three years. They clarified and harmonised the necessary terminology, developed an innovative criteria based approach and combined it with a statistically sound ranking method, published practical guidelines and open source tools which will remain accessible beyond the active phase of the project. In this report we provide an overview about the main results, providing additional findings and insights which go beyond the peer-reviewed publications resulting from the project. It discusses further the specific results from the perspective of the Copernicus programme and outline why and how the comparison method developed should be applied to other geospatial products and tools.

BIELSKI Conrad;  GUTH Peter;  GROHMANN Carlos;  LOPEZ-VAZQUEZ Carlos;  TREVISANI Sebastiano;  GESH Dean;  RIAZANOFF Serge;  CORSEAUX Axel;  REUTER Hannes I.;  STROBL Peter; 

2026-07-28

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC134935

978-92-68-38944-7 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 40689,    OP KJ-01-26-158-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC134935,   

10.2760/3121340 (online),