Step-by-step guide to downloading ASTER GDEM elevation data from the official website. Includes video tutorial and GIS tips.
How to Download ASTER GDEM: Free 30m DEM from Official NASA & METI Site
The ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) is one of the most widely used free elevation datasets available to researchers, students, and GIS professionals. Developed by NASA and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), ASTER GDEM provides elevation coverage of nearly the entire globe at 30-meter resolution.
🌍 What is ASTER GDEM?
ASTER GDEM is derived from stereo-pair images captured by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor onboard NASA’s Terra satellite. It is a powerful resource for terrain analysis, hydrology modeling, slope calculation, 3D visualization, and more.
- Coverage: Global (83°N to 83°S)
- Resolution: 30 meters
- Format: GeoTIFF (.tif)
- License: Free for non-commercial use
📽️ Watch the Video Tutorial
🔗 Official Download Portal
You can download ASTER GDEM data from the official Japanese portal:
➡️ https://gdemdl.aster.jspacesystems.or.jp/index_en.html
🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Download ASTER GDEM
- Visit the official ASTER GDEM download site.
- Create a free account or log in if you already have one.
- Click on Search to open the map-based interface.
- Use the map or coordinate input to select your area of interest (AOI).
- Add selected tiles to your cart.
- Submit your request and wait for the download link by email.
- Once you receive the email, download the GeoTIFF tiles to your computer.
💡 Tips for Using ASTER GDEM
- Use software like QGIS, ArcGIS, or SAGA GIS to view and process DEM files.
- Mosaic multiple tiles if your area spans more than one file.
- Reproject the DEM to a projected coordinate system (e.g., UTM) before running terrain analyses.
- Use hillshade and slope tools to visualize terrain features.
🗺️ Alternatives to ASTER GDEM
- SRTM DEM (NASA) – 30m & 90m resolution for most of the globe
- Copernicus DEM – Up to 30m resolution, more recent and smooth
- ALOS PALSAR DEM – For higher resolution in Asia and mountainous regions
🔗 Related Resources
📌 Final Thoughts
ASTER GDEM is a fantastic free resource for anyone working in topography, remote sensing, or GIS. With just a few clicks and the right tools, you can integrate global elevation data into your spatial analysis projects. If you're new to DEMs or terrain analysis, this tutorial video is a great place to start!
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Created by: Jamal Chaaouan | GeoJamal Academy
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