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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Rarotonga 1 arc-second Coastal Digital Elevation Model

NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information is building high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) for select U.S. coastal regions. These integrated bathymetric-topographic DEMs are used to support tsunami forecasting and warning efforts at the NOAA Center for Tsunami Research, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL). The DEMs are part of the tsunami forecast system SIFT (Short-term Inundation Forecasting for Tsunamis) currently being developed by PMEL for the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers, and are used in the MOST (Method of Splitting Tsunami) model developed by PMEL to simulate tsunami generation, propagation, and inundation.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • ID not available.
gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.dem:11509
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • netCDF (Version: 4 Classic)
Distributor DEM Information
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
dem.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact DEM Information
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
dem.info@noaa.gov
Coverage Description ISO valid extents for Rarotonga 1 sec. DEM
Time Period
Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326urn:ogc:def:datum:EPSG::5831
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -160.42
East: -159.08
South: -21.87
North: -20.68
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2016-12-27
Edition First
Data Presentation Form mapDigital
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose Developed for the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), NOAA Center for Tsunami Research program in support of NOAA's tsunami forecasting and warning efforts.
Use Limitations
  • Not to be used for navigation. Although these data are of high quality and useful for planning and modeling purposes, they are not suitable for navigation. For navigation, please refer to the NOS nautical chart series.
  • Produced by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.
Originators
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Collaborators
  • NOAA Center for Tsunami Research
    NOAA PMEL Center for Tsunami Research (NCTR)
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science and Services Keywords
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Seafloor Topography
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Bathymetry
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Water Depth
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Topography > Terrain Elevation > Topographical Relief Maps
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coastal Elevation
Uncontrolled
  • Coastal Relief
  • Gridded elevations
  • Integrated bathymetry and topography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Service Keywords
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS > WEB-BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
  • DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING > DATA SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > VISUALIZATION/IMAGE PROCESSING
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Service Keywords
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS > WEB-BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
  • DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING > DATA SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > VISUALIZATION/IMAGE PROCESSING
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Models/Analyses > DEM > Digital Elevation Model
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > South Pacific Ocean
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Sea Floor
Uncontrolled
  • Rarotonga
  • Pacific Ocean
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 1 meter - < 30 meters
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • < 1 meter
Use Constraints No constraint information available
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees Fee information not available.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processor
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Processing Steps
  • 2016-11-05T00:00:00 - All datasets obtained by NCEI were converted to common horizontal and vertical datums of WGS 84 geographic and MSL, respectively, using Proj.4's 'cs2cs' projection transformation tool. They were also converted to common file format for visualization and inspection.
  • 2016-11-06T00:00:00 - Datasets were visually inspected with ArcGIS for identification and editing of data anomalies. Datasets were then compared with overlapping datasets to ensure data consistency.
  • 2016-11-07T00:00:00 - xyz files of the bathymetric data were surfaced using GMT's 'surface' tool onto a 1 arc-second grid that interpolated to fill empty cells. Points extracted every 5 meters along the coastline were also included to ensure that the bathymetric grid reached zero at the coast. The resulting Arc ASCII grid was imported into ArcGIS and clipped to the coastline to remove values over land.
  • 2016-11-08T00:00:00 - xyz files for each input dataset were gridded using MB-System's 'mbgrid' tool, which utilizes a high-tension spline interpolation method to fill grid cells with no input elevation values. Preferential weighting was given to more recent, higher-accuracy datasets.
  • 2016-11-09T00:00:00 - A bathymetric contour of -0.3 meter MSL was constructed at the edge of the fringing reef and a topographic contour of 2 meters MSL was constructed at the landward edge of the beach, referenced to aerial photographs, using Global Mapper. xyz files for each input dataset were gridded using MB-System's 'mbgrid' tool. Relative contribution factors of 50 were applied during gridding.
  • 2016-11-10T00:00:00 - The DEM was quantitatively evaluated by comparing with source datasets.
Processing Environment Native Dataset Environment: Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise; ESRI ArcGIS 10.3.1.4959
Source Datasets
  • NCEI Single Beam Bathymetry Database
  • Single Beam Bathymetric Survey Data from KBSLOF
    • The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (download)
      Non-profit environmental science organization and ocean research foundation established to help preserve, protect and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources through research, education, and outreach.
    • Description of Source: Single Beam Bathymetric Data
    • Temporal extent used: 2013-04-26 to 2013-04-27
  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Digitized Nautical Charts (DNC®) NZ 9558 for the Approach to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and NZ 9558 and 9558P for Avatiu and Avarua Harbors, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
    • NGA DNC Portal (download)
      The Digital Nautical Chart is produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and is an unclassified, vector-based digital database containing maritime significant features essential for safe marine navigation. DNC® consists of 29 DNC® Regions and is available on DVD-ROM and also available via the NGA Gateway: Digital patch updates and textual corrections to DNC® are also available via the NGA Gateway. Initial data collection of the database is from a portfolio of approximately 5,000 nautical charts that will ultimately provide global marine navigation between 84 North latitude and 81 South latitude and supports a variety of Geographic Information System applications.
    • Description of Source: Digitized Nautical Chart Data
    • Temporal extent used: 2015-11-14 to 2015-11-14
  • Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Nearshore Bathymetry Survey Dataset by Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC)
    • SOPAC Geonetwork Portal (download)
      SOPAC GeoNetwork allows the sharing of geographically referenced thematic information between different organizations. SOPAC Geonetwork's purpose is: To improve access to and integrated use of SOPAC scientific information; To support decision making in the Pacific region; To promote multidisciplinary approaches to sustainable development; To enhance understanding of the benefits of geographic information.
    • Description of Source: Nearshore Multibeam Bathymetric Data
    • Temporal extent used: 2004-12-31 to 2004-12-31
  • Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Single Beam Bathymetry Survey Datasets of Avatiu and Avarua Harbors by Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC)
    • SOPAC Geonetwork Portal (download)
      SOPAC GeoNetwork allows the sharing of geographically referenced thematic information between different organizations. SOPAC Geonetwork's purpose is: To improve access to and integrated use of SOPAC scientific information; To support decision making in the Pacific region; To promote multidisciplinary approaches to sustainable development; To enhance understanding of the benefits of geographic information.
    • Description of Source: Single Beam Bathymetric Data
    • Temporal extent used: 2006-03-13 to 2006-03-14
  • General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) Gridded Bathymetric Data Set GEBCO_2014_Grid
    • GEBCO Portal (download)
      The GEBCO project consists of an international group of experts in seafloor mapping who work on the development of a range of bathymetric data sets and products. GEBCO's aim is to provide the most authoritative, publicly-available bathymetry for the world's oceans. It operates under the joint auspices of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). GEBCO's bathymetric data sets comprise of global gridded bathymetric data sets and a global set of digital bathymetric contours. The data sets are maintained and updated on behalf of GEBCO at BODC.
    • Description of Source: Bathymetric DEM
    • Temporal extent used: 2014-12-02 to 2015-03-18
  • LINZ Data Service Cook Islands Island Polygons 1:25000 Zone 4
    • LINZ Online Land and Seabed Data Access Service (download)
      LINZ Data Service provides free online access to New Zealand's most up-to-date land and seabed data. LINZ topographic maps are available for all of New Zealand, its offshore island, some Pacific Islands and the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. Available for use through CC-by Land Information New Zealand.
    • Description of Source: Shoreline Data
    • Temporal extent used: 2014-12-02 to 2014-12-02
  • LINZ Data Service Cook Islands Topography 1:25000 Zone 4
    • LINZ Online Land and Seabed Data Access Service (download)
      LINZ Data Service provides free online access to New Zealand's most up-to-date land and seabed data. LINZ topographic maps are available for all of New Zealand, its offshore island, some Pacific Islands and the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. Available for use through CC-by Land Information New Zealand.
    • Description of Source: Satellite Imagery-derived Topographic Data
    • Temporal extent used: 2014-12-02 to 2014-12-02
  • Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning System (GPS) Topographic and Bathymetric Surveys from UNSW-WRL
    • Water Research Laboratory (WRL), University of New South Wales (UNSW) (download)
      The Water Research Laboratory (WRL) is a leading international research and consulting laboratory. WRL is located at Manly Vale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches on 4 ha of land and is part of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW Australia. WRL can best be described as an expert problem solver in engineering relating to water, the coast, the environment and groundwater. WRL undertakes commercial projects that address complicated water engineering problems relating to groundwater, hydrology, river flow and flood plain management, estuarine and ocean hydraulics, sediment transport, stratified flow, pipe flow, major pump installations, hydraulic structures, water distribution, wave and surge predictions, foreshore protection, breakwater design, sea level rise and climate change adaptation, coastal zone management and environmental studies.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: RTK GPS Topographic and Bathymetric Survey Data
    • Temporal extent used: 2012-09-29 to 2012-10-05
  • Digitized Topographic file transfer from University of New South Wales, Water Research Laboratory
    • UNSW-WRL (download)
      The Water Research Laboratory (WRL) is a leading international research and consulting laboratory. WRL is located at Manly Vale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches on 4 ha of land and is part of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW Australia. WRL can best be described as an expert problem solver in engineering relating to water, the coast, the environment and groundwater. WRL undertakes commercial projects that address complicated water engineering problems relating to groundwater, hydrology, river flow and flood plain management, estuarine and ocean hydraulics, sediment transport, stratified flow, pipe flow, major pump installations, hydraulic structures, water distribution, wave and surge predictions, foreshore protection, breakwater design, sea level rise and climate change adaptation, coastal zone management and environmental studies.
    • Description of Source: Digitized Topographic Data
    • Temporal extent used: 2012-09-29 to 2012-10-05
  • Digitized Topography from Eagle Land Survey/UNSW-WRL
    • UNSW-WRL (download)
      The Water Research Laboratory (WRL) is a leading international research and consulting laboratory. WRL is located at Manly Vale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches on 4 ha of land and is part of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW Australia. WRL can best be described as an expert problem solver in engineering relating to water, the coast, the environment and groundwater. WRL undertakes commercial projects that address complicated water engineering problems relating to groundwater, hydrology, river flow and flood plain management, estuarine and ocean hydraulics, sediment transport, stratified flow, pipe flow, major pump installations, hydraulic structures, water distribution, wave and surge predictions, foreshore protection, breakwater design, sea level rise and climate change adaptation, coastal zone management and environmental studies.
    • Description of Source: Surveyed Topographic Data
    • Temporal extent used: 2012-09-29 to 2012-10-05
  • GPS Topographic Survey of area near swamps near Avatiu, Rarotonga from Cook Islands Government (CIG)
    • CIG (download)
      The Cook Islands Geo Portal Project is designed as an information center for disaster risk response and management. We strive to foster collaboration and continual improvement of emergency response working in partnership with the public, government ministries and key stakeholders, to promote best practices before, during and after disasters. The EMCI GeoNode system is as our answer to online mapping and document catalogue to assist emergency response teams make better decisions in the event of a national emergency. Within this catalogue system, you will discover GIS maps and documents with metadata to provide information about the maps and documents. The metadata aspect will assist you in determining the origin, rights to use under license and amongst other information, validity of information being hosted.
    • Description of Source: GPS Topographic Survey Data
    • Time Instant: 2012-10-05
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2017-11-13
For questions about the information on this page, please email: dem.info@noaa.gov