Merging DEMs from VHR Optical Imagery with Drone Data - A High-resolution DEM for Tristan da Cunha

The extraction of high-resolution, Digital Elevation Models (DEM) from very high-resolution
(VHR) optical satellite imagery, as well as low altitude drone images by Photogrammetric methods or modern Structure from Motion (SFM) engines, has rapidly matured. Today both data sources are representing cost-effective alternatives to dedicated airborne sensors, especially for remote and difficult to access regions. Ever-growing archives of high-resolution Satellite imagery, are providing a rich data source which covers even the most remote locations with high-resolution imagery up to 0.30m ground sample distance multiple times enabling the generation of high-resolution DEMS. Furthermore, low-cost, low weight and easy to use drones can easily be deployed in remote regions and capture limited areas with very high resolution. Dense point clouds derived from this method provide an invaluable data source to fill the gap between globally available low-resolution DEMs and highly accurate terrestrial surveys.
The presented case study investigates the use of VHR archive imagery as well as low-cost drone imagery to generate high-quality DEMs using photogrammetric tools over a remote region which is difficult to access by manned airborne platforms. We highlight the potential and limitations of both data sources to provide high resolution, accurate elevation data.