Extracting Elevation Data from Google Earth

In this tutorial, you will learn how to extract elevation information from Google Earth into a GIS software such as ArcGIS, and how to generate a DEM. The tutorial also shows how to use interpolation methods such as Kriging interpolation to generate the DEM and how to generate contour lines using ArcMap.

[marujeman]

This is so random. Not only i was shocked that you chose Malaysia, but you also zoom into my hometown. Thanks!

[bedynamicacceptopportuniti]

One of the best GIS tutorial I have ever watched. Many thanks!

[wwjdenterprise]

Perfect and well articulated. As someone who only knew about generating contours using drone images, I have now learnt even much more from this. You have made my day and trimmed the long process of doing things thanks alot.

[bensfons]

Just so everyone is clear on this, you are NOT extracting the elevation data from Google Earth. The page in this vid uses the location of the points in the path and extracts the elevation data from a DEM model (most likely SRTM-3, though it depends on the location of your study). It says so in the paragraph just bellow where you upload the .kml file.

I also tried this method, seeing that, for my area of study at least, the Google Earth topography model was more precise than the ALOS PALSAR data I have available (30x30 m RES, while in GE it seems to be 5x5 m or more from what I have measured). This means that:

1) Unless Google Earth uses a DEM with the same resolution as the one from where the web page extracts the elevation data, you won't be getting the same accuracy.

2)It's better to download the DEM from the source. (The best being the Alaska Satellite facility, mission ALOS-PALSAR and data processing level set to Terrain Corrected).

3)In some locations, Google has access to elevation data that isn't publicly available (like in my case), which allow them to generate super accurate/High RES terrain topography.

[oluyemisiolugbile]

Thank you very much for your patience in teaching and making your training very easy to follow. Please can we do the same in QGIS because I do not have Spatial analyst and all other extension tools in my version of ArcMap.

[paulbabuak]

So amazed how there are endless possibilities in these softwares!!!!

[terahantwi]

Kriging may not be entirely ideal tool for the process, unless you want some areas extrapolated. You can simply use the density, spline, or (Thiessen polygon - Tin- slope - raster) for interpolation since contour productions works in such manner

[gomore]

It is really good tutorial, but I think it should be mentioned that the extracted values of height are not really from google earth but from other sources listed by GPS visualizer site

[charlessutherland]

Concise, Clear and Topical. Excellent Tutorial. 5/5 !!!

[juahanlauwrens]

Thank you so much for the videos, help a lot, so sad I only have the basic license, I am getting stuck with the kriging...

[guicosta]

Hello. Great video. Ive watched your QGIS video and i was wondering if we can extract elevation data and use it in QGIS? Thanks!

[ashikhan]

Please make video on zonal statistics.. I only understand you and no one else

[Benini]

Hi! I'm using QGIS instead of ArcGIS. I also need to extract the contours for every 1 meter. Do you have another tutorial using QGIS instead? thanks!

[ihaseebmirza]

This was awesome! What if we want to generate elevation profiles for this whole area? How do we do that?

[rossechols]

Awesome but can you perform a similar manipulation in QGIS?

[QuestforSimplicity]

Wow. Learning more with your tutorials.

[amandiodasilva-mi]

thank you so much! it's too help for extracting elevation-from East Timor

[DJKakakhelSlowedReverb]

I do it but mine does not contain elevation values at all

[shivanikulshrestha]

please please.... make a video on Extracting Elevation Data using QGIS Thank you :)

[mahamanoumar]

Thanks Sir quite helpful, please is it possible to use polygon while drawing a given area instead of lines?