Google Earth Contours vs LiDAR (How to Extract Contours from Google Earth and How they Compare)

In this video, we show you how to extract contours using Google Earth, GPS Visualizer, and QGIS and how they compare to contours created from lidar data. We use the Equator platform to source free, public lidar data in the US and generate contours directly from the information on the fly.

****The Equator user interface has been updated.***** Check out this video to learn more:

The video will answer the following questions:
0:11 How to generate contours from Google Earth?
1:03 Using GPS Visualizer.
1:30 Creating contours from points in QGIS
3:05 Creating contours from USGS lidar using Equator
3:35 Viewing USGS lidar point clouds using Equator
4:25 Visual comparison of contour accuracy
5:40 Detailed comparison of different cross-sections in Excel

Keywords: Google Earth, contours, topography, lidar, USGS, point cloud, Equator

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[migs]

Amazing. I will be using similar visualizations for drone survey vs goog earth resolution in a digital portfolio format. But I will have to include a video presentation. You did this so well.

[ishtiaqhameed]

Madam i like your style of teaching and experience love this

[ShaddeyNNM]

This is amazing! Thanks for providing such a detailed explanation and comparison

[TheSepticGuy]

Okay, im trying to do this but im having issues at the 2:00 when it comes to contour.

[allatv]

WOW! I'm not completely following what you're doing here, but I've been very interested in maps, topo, and lidar. I just searched you tube to see if there's anything I don't know, and obviously there is! Oddly enough the spot you zoomed into is 2 counties north of me in Iowa! On the site I use we just got 2020 lidar color hillshade for my area, which is awesome! It picks up my ATV trails through the timber, even logs lying on the forest floor. I use the maps to help with farm maintenance and also help in my hunt for arrowheads. And it's just neat to explore places I normally wouldn't be able to go.

[mohammadkaied]

Can we use it for tunnel underneath the ground surface??

[engchristianoakuku]

"Topography " icon Not found on equator app

[rjguxfm]

good afternoon. Can this technique be used to study the shores of the seas and lagoons? I am interested in the height and slope of the coast. Thanks

[philippinepropecyrobinos]

Hi, first time to see equator app, just asking is it free and is it cover the entire world? Bcoz sometimes it's only in the US.... thanks

[hwdutym]

what version of QGSIS are you using? Thanks

[turkeyphant]

How can I get an elevation profile/cross section like you show in Excel from geotiff LIDAR data?

[sigalemiri]

why not use the topo from eaquator studios intead the one from google earth?

[lmthunzi]

Is that lidar data available for Africa? Good presentation.

[sshubhesh]

How do i change my contour interval of LIDAR database on excel

[thomasavinash]

using qgis 3.36.1 under vector tab cannot find contour

[jeongmuimared-dvdz]

Is it a fee to extract and download contours from a map?

[nkangahantumbu]

But it seems data is not open source like google earth and qgis

[Raptorman]

Why do you need to jump through hoops to do something as common as contours in Google Earth? Google is dreadful at software!