Copernicus DEM (GLO-30 / GLO-90)

Copernicus DEM is derived from the German TanDEM-X mission (2011–2015) and distributed by ESA at 30m (GLO-30) and 90m (GLO-90) global resolution, free for any use under the Copernicus data licence. As a digital surface model it includes building and canopy heights, which matters for hydraulic roughness work but needs correcting for bare-earth hydrology (see FABDEM).

For most global-scale terrain work started today, GLO-30 has overtaken SRTM as the default: newer sensor, tighter vertical accuracy, and genuinely global coverage with no data voids. Access is via the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, OpenTopography, AWS Open Data or directly in Google Earth Engine.