ALOS PALSAR DEM (JAXA)

ALOS PALSAR DEM (JAXA)

MH Subset Needed

ALOS World 3D 30m (AW3D30) digital surface model derived from ALOS PRISM stereo imagery by JAXA, providing 30m resolution global elevation data. Alternative to SRTM with better accuracy in some terrain types. The higher-res 12.5m PALSAR RTC DEM is also available via ASF.

Build a flood risk assessment model for Maharashtra river basins using ALOS PALSAR high-resolution elevation data.
Maharashtra subset not yet extracted. This is a global dataset that contains data covering Maharashtra. A regional subset can be extracted by filtering on geographic coordinates or administrative boundaries.
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Quick Start

import rasterio
import numpy as np
# Download from https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/ALOS/en/dataset/aw3d30/
# src = rasterio.open('ALOS_PALSAR_DEM.tif')
# elev = src.read(1)
# print(f'Elevation range: {elev.min():.0f}m to {elev.max():.0f}m')
print('ALOS PALSAR DEM: https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/ALOS/en/dataset/aw3d30/')
Modality
satellite-imagery
Size
30m resolution (AW3D30); 12.5m (PALSAR RTC via ASF); global coverage
License
Format
GeoTIFF
Language
en
Update Frequency
static
Organization
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Category
geospatial-gis

Schema

FieldTypeDescription
elevationfloatElevation value in meters above sea level
latitudefloatLatitude coordinate
longitudefloatLongitude coordinate

Build With This

Create a watershed delineation tool for Maharashtra using DEM data for water resource management planning
Develop a landslide susceptibility mapper for Western Ghats using slope, aspect, and elevation from ALOS PALSAR
Build a terrain-based crop suitability model combining elevation and slope data with soil information

AI Use Cases

Flood risk modeling in river basinsWatershed delineation for irrigation planningTerrain analysis for infrastructure projectsSlope stability assessment in Western GhatsUrban elevation profiling
Last verified: 2026-03-09