The creation of surface models from either DEM or contours is becoming commonplace within the GIS environment. The vast majority of these models, whether they be lattice or TIN, are assumed to be "good" and errors associated with these models are being mainly assigned via default DEM documentation, 7.5-minute quadrangle documentation, or a quick check against benchmark data found on the quads themselves. The purpose of this paper is to outline the possible potential and types of error within these surfaces and how these errors, when used deriving slope and aspect maps, can be traced and assessed.
Tim Haithcoat
Geographic Resources Center - UMC
18 Stewart Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Telephone: 314-882-2324
Fax: 314-884-4239
Email: grctlh@missou1.missouri.edu