In support of military applications, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) has developed a standard digital dataset (Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTEDŽ) Level 0) which may be of value to scientific, technical, and other communities. This DTEDŽ product is a uniform matrix of terrain elevation values which provides basic quantitative data for systems and applications that require terrain elevation, slope, and/or surface roughness information. DTEDŽ Level 0 elevation post spacing is 30 arc second (nominally one kilometer). In addition to this discrete elevation file, a separate binary file provides the minimum, maximum, and mean elevation values computed in 30 arc second square areas (organized by one degree cell). Finally, DTEDŽ Level 0 contains the NIMA Digital Mean Elevation Data (DMED) providing minimum, maximum, and mean elevation values and standard deviation for each 15 minute by 15 minute area in a one degree cell. This initial prototype release is a "thinned" data file extracted from the NIMA DTEDŽ Level 1 holdings where available and from the elevation layer of NIMA VMAP Level 0 to complete near world wide coverage.The current DTEDŽ Level 0 and subsequent releases will be updated consistent with established NIMA production maintenace procedures.
Support from select international mapping organizations was instrumental in the generation of the Level 0 dataset. The following nations have contributed data to this effort: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In many cases, higher resolution terrain data of the above listed nations is available for public sale. If you are interested in obtaining such data over any of the above listed countries, please contact the civil mapping authorities of the individual nation directly.
This data set may be freely copied, manipulated, adapted or combined with other geospatial information as desired by the user. It allows a gross representation of the Earth's surface for general modeling and assessment activities. Such reduced resolution data is not intended and should not be used for automated flight guidance or other precision activity involving the safety of the public.
The data contained in DTEDŽ Level 0 is a derivative set only, and does not represent the entire Department of Defense (DoD) archive of terrain data. In making this data available to the general public, the NIMA in no way alters the controlled status of the remaining archives. Technical support or general assistance with respect to DTEDŽ Level 0 is available only to U.S. Government users. Limited supporting information may be found in the FAQ. The NIMA requests that products developed using DTEDŽ Level 0 credit the source with the following statement, "This product was developed using DTEDŽ Level 0, a product of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency."
Warranty Disclaimers and Requirements:
a. Under 10 U.S.C. 456, no civil action may be brought against the United States on the basis of the content of data prepared or disseminated by either the former Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) or NIMA.
b. DTEDŽ Level 0 was developed to meet only the internal requirements of the DoD. DTEDŽ Level 0 is provided "as is," and no warranty, express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose or arising by statute or otherwise in law or from a course of dealing or usage in trade, is made by the NIMA as to the accuracy and functioning of the product.
c. Neither the NIMA nor its personnel will be liable for any claims, losses, or damages arising from or connected with the use of DTEDŽ Level 0. The user agrees to hold harmless the United States National Imagery and Mapping Agency. The user's sole and exclusive remedy is to stop using DTEDŽ Level 0.
d. For any products developed using DTEDŽ Level 0, the NIMA requires a disclaimer that use of DTEDŽ Level 0 does not indicate endorsement or approval of those products by either the Secretary of Defense, the former Defense Mapping Agency, or the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. Pursuant to the United States Code, 10 U.S.C. 445, the name of the Defense Mapping Agency, the initials "DMA", the seal of the Defense Mapping Agency, the name of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, the initials "NIMA," the seal of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, or any colorable imitation thereof shall not be used to imply approval, endorsement, or authorization of a product without prior written permission from United States Secretary of Defense.