Elevation and Depth

The Elevation and Depth theme focusses on foundation datasets which measure the Earth’s surface (wet or dry) above or below a vertical datum to obtain either the height of the land or a bathymetric depth.

Sub-themes within this theme

Theme Purpose

Elevation and Depth gives trusted Earth’s surface information to help with finding solutions to difficult problems. It is an important layer when combined with other foundation datasets.

Elevation and Depth information is collected using different sensors; including laser, sound navigation and ranging (sonar), radio detection and ranging (radar), optical remote sensing and survey techniques to derive spot heights, raster surfaces, contours and digital models of terrain.

Elevation and Depth is central to :

Safe hydrographic, aeronautical and road navigation.
Climate Science, including Climate Change Adaptation.
Emergency management and natural hazard risk assessment.
Environmental, including water management.
Engineering projects and infrastructure development.
Definition of maritime and administrative boundaries.
Defence and national security.
Natural resource exploration and exploitation. Elevation and Depth provides an authoritative digital representation of the Earth’s surface enabling evidence-based decision making, policy development and an essential reference to other foundation datasets. Elevation and Depth underpins: Safe hydrographic, aeronautical and road navigation. Climate Science, including Climate Change Adaptation. Emergency management and natural hazard risk assessment. Environmental, including water management. Engineering projects and infrastructure development. Definition of maritime and administrative boundaries. Defence and national security. Natural resource exploration and exploitation.

Theme Coverage

Complete, current and continuous coverage of Australia excluding external territories