Changes in color signify changes in height. Shaded relief maps are commonly used in applications such as geologic mapping and land use planning. The three-dimensional perspective view is generated using topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. The image will show a Landsat, SPOT, Ikonos, or other false color image overlain on the topography. The contour map is generated using topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission.
Contour mapping is the traditional method for graphically representing landforms of the Earth.
Contour lines follow paths of constant elevation and are closely spaced on steep slopes and widely spaced on relatively flat terrain. Stereo Pair Stereo images are generated using topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission to create two differing perspectives of a single image, one perspective for each eye. Each point in the image is shifted slightly, depending on its elevation. The images allow the observer to view the Earth's surface in its full three dimensions. Most people require a stereoscope to merge the images and perceive three dimensions.