The Utility of Lidar: Mapping Risk, Planning Smarter, and Protecting
By Hayley Bricker
OT Blog
Information and discussion related to high-resolution lidar topography for the Earth sciences
Using Lidar to Understand the Impacts of the 2025 Palisades and Eaton Fires, Los Angeles, CA
By Cassandra Brigham, Chelsea Scott, Christopher Crosby
OT Bibliography 2024: Review of publications using OpenTopography
Primary support for OpenTopography comes from the Division of Earth Sciences at the U.S. National Science Foundation, and thus, our principal emphasis is on facilitating access to topographic data oriented towards Earth science research and education. In the context of academic research, publications are a crucial metric for measuring impact and sustaining support for initiatives such as OpenTopography.
Since its initiation, OpenTopography data and resources have enabled:
Highlight: May–August 2024 publications using OpenTopography datasets
by Emily Zawacki
OpenTopography periodically highlights new research results that demonstrate the use and reuse of data from OpenTopography. These three publications highlight topographic research applications in fault geomorphology, botany, and ecology and wildlife management.
Highlight: January–April 2024 publications using OpenTopography datasets
by Emily Zawacki
OpenTopography periodically highlights new research results that demonstrate the use and reuse of data from OpenTopography. These three publications highlight topographic research applications in earthquake hazards, wildlife and conservation, and geomorphology.
Exploring Topographic Change with 3D Prints
By Emily Zawacki
3D prints of landscapes provide a three-dimensional tactile way to explore the Earth’s surface and learn about the geologic processes that shape it. We can use topography data and create 3D prints of landscapes from digital elevation models. With 3D printing technologies, there is the potential for exploring areas of topographic change in a three-dimensional tactile way by creating 3D prints from pre- and post-event topography.
Students use OpenTopography to evaluate how well mapping of Earth’s surface features can predict earthquake surface rupture
By Emily Zawacki
In regions with a high earthquake hazard, determining where and how Earth’s surface may move and break in an earthquake is crucial in hazard analysis and risk mitigation. While certain regulations may prohibit structures from being built along or near active faults, not all faults are known, and some structures may be required to cross faults, putting them at risk from displacement at Earth’s surface.