St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Digital Elevation Model

browse graphicThumbnail of DEM
NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) 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. Bathymetric, topographic, and shoreline data used in DEM compilation are obtained from various sources, including NGDC, the U.S. National Ocean Service (NOS), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other federal, state, and local government agencies, academic institutions, and private companies. DEMs are referenced to the vertical tidal datum of Mean High Water (MHW) and horizontal datum of World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84). Cell size for the DEMs ranges from 1/3 arc-second (~10 meters) to 3 arc-seconds (~90 meters).
  • Cite as: NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. 2010: St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Digital Elevation Model. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [date].
  • NCEI Metadata ID: gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.dem:677
gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.dem:677
Search Data
  • DEM text search (search)
    Text search for locating completed and planned DEMs.
  • Bathymetric Data Viewer (search)
    The Bathymetric Data Viewer is an interactive map providing discovery, descriptions, and download capability for bathymetric survey data and digital elevation models archived at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
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    Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
    Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
    ncei.info@noaa.gov
    Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
    ncei.info@noaa.gov
    Dataset Point of Contact DEM Information
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
    dem.info@noaa.gov
    Time Period 1909-01-01 to 2010-01-01
    Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326urn:ogc:def:datum:EPSG::5868
    Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
    West:-65.15
    East:-64.64
    South:18.17
    North:18.48
    Spatial Coverage Map
    General Documentation
    Associated Resources
    • NOAA Tsunami Inundation Gridding Project
      • Bathymetric Data Viewer (search)
        The Bathymetric Data Viewer is an interactive map providing discovery, descriptions, and download capability for bathymetric survey data and digital elevation models archived at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
      • DEM text search (search)
        Text search for locating completed and planned DEMs.
    • Digital Elevation Models of the U.S. Virgin Islands: Procedures, Data Sources, and Analysis
    Publication Dates
    • publication: 2010-10-08
    Edition First
    Data Presentation Form mapDigital
    Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
    Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
    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.
    Dataset Citation
    • Cite as: NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. 2010: St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Digital Elevation Model. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [date].
    Cited Authors
    • NOAA National Geophysical Data Center
    Publishers
    • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
    Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science 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
    • 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 > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Virgin Islands
    • Vertical Location > Land Surface
    • Vertical Location > Sea Floor
    Uncontrolled
    • U.S. Virgin Islands
    • St. Thomas
    • St. John
    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
    • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
    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.
    Other Constraints Cite as: NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. 2010: St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Digital Elevation Model. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [date].
    Fees
    • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
    Lineage information for:dataset
    Processor
    • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
    Processing Steps
    • 2010-06-15T00:00:00 -All datasets obtained by NGDC were converted to common horizontal datums of WGS 84 geographic, respectively, using FME. They were also converted to common file formats, ESRI point shapefiles and xyz files, for visualization and inspection.
    • 2010-07-01T00:00:00 -Conversion grids were created to convert all data from common vertical datums of MHW. Grids were created using the difference values from tide stations from the Virgin Islands region and the Inverse Distance Weighting tool in ArcMap. Data were converted to MHW by subtracting the grid value from the data elevation value.
    • 2010-07-15T00:00:00 -Datasets were visually inspected with ArcGIS for identification and editing of data anomalies. Datasets were then compared with overlapping datasets to ensure data consistency.
    • 2010-07-20T00:00:00 -Multibeam sonar surveys were gridded to 3 arc-second spacing (~90 meters) using MB-System's 'mbgrid' tool. The resulting Arc ASCII grids were imported into ArcGIS.
    • 2010-08-05T00:00:00 -xyz files of the bathymetric data were surfaced using ESRI's ArcGIS onto a 3 arc-second grid that was then converted to an xyz file.
    • 2010-09-01T00:00:00 -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.
    • 2010-09-15T00:00:00 -The DEM was quantitatively evaluated by comparing with NGS geodetic monuments. It was visually evaluated by converting to UTM-zone coordinates (units of meters horizontally and vertically) and then creating a slope grid to identify gridding artifacts in the DEM.
    Processing Environment Native Dataset Environment: Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.2 (Build 3790) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.2.4.1420
    Source Datasets
    • NOS Hydrographic Surveys
      • NOS Hydrographic Survey Database (download)
        Digital database of NOS hydrographic surveys that date back to the late 19th century.
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: hydrographic survey data. ; Source Type: online
      • Temporal extent used: 1909-01-01 to 2003-01-01
    • NGDC Multibeam Bathymetry Database
      • NGDC Multibeam Bathymetry Database (download)
        Multibeam swath sonar survey data
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Multibeam swath sonar survey data. ; Source Type: online
      • Temporal extent used: 1985-01-01 to 2005-01-01
    • Electronic Navigational Charts
      • OCS Electronic Navigational Charts (download)
        Digital database of NOAA nautical chart information.
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: vector shoreline data and land elevations. ; Source Type: online
      • Temporal extent used: 2004-01-01 to 2008-01-01
    • NGDC Marine Geophysical Trackline Database
      • NGDC Marine Geophysical Trackline Database (download)
        Marine geophyscical trackline data
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Trackline soundings. ; Source Type: online
      • Temporal extent used: 1962-01-01 to 2000-01-01
    • Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)
      • Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (download)
        global topography
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: gridded topographic data. ; Source Type: on web
      • Time Instant: 2000-01-01
    • USGS gridded interferometric bathymetry survey data collected in the U.S. Virgin Islands
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Bathymetry collected using interferometric bathymetric sonar operating on a frequency of 234 kHz. Data were gridded at 5 meters. ; Source Type: ftp
      • Time Instant: 2009-01-01
    • NStxRonBrown_50m
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Gridded multibeam files ; Source Type: ftp
      • Time Instant: 2006-01-01
    • USGS EAARL Lidar
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Topographic and submerged topographic lidar DEM ; Source Type: cd
      • Time Instant: 2003-01-01
    • CCMA Biogeography Gridded Multibeam
      • CCMA Biogeography Multibeam Bathymetry (download)
        Gridded Multibeam data
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Gridding multibeam files ; Source Type: online
      • Temporal extent used: 2004-01-01 to 2009-01-01
    • Bench Mark Data Sheets with Tidal Datum References
      • Tides and Currents Station Selection
        Bench Mark Data Sheets
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: tidal information table from which vertical datum adjustment information are interpreted ; Source Type: online
      • Temporal extent used: 2003-01-01 to 2008-01-01
    • Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Hybrid Model
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Hybrid Model of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands relating NAD 83 Ellisoid with the VIVD09 datum ; Source Type: email
      • Time Instant: 2010-01-01
    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.
    Acquisition Information (collection)
    Instrument
      Platform
      • Digital Elevation Model
      Operation
      • Tsunami Inundation Gridding Project
      Last Modified: 2020-05-21
      For questions about the information on this page, please email:ncei.info@noaa.gov