Automatic relative elevation model generation

OpenTopography’s #RiverREM is a #Python-based tool that automates the creation and visualization of relative elevation models (REMs) from digital elevation models, making it easier than ever for scientists, artists, and enthusiasts to explore the dynamic history and structure of river landscapes.
Author

Ralph Straumann

Published

April 19, 2025

Relative elevation model (REM) of Neches River (source: OpenTopography (fair use))

Art with scientific merit: Cartographer Dan Coe has popularized this type of visualization of elevations along rivers and floodplains that have the overall trend in river elevation removed. This technique leaves behind elevation fluctuations more or less relative to the river. Once the elevations in this “relative elevation model” (REM) are rendered, the data exposes – even shallow – current and historical fluvial geomorphology.

OpenTopography offers RiverREM, a Python-based tool for generating and visualizing REMs automatically. The tool requires only a digital elevation model (DEM) and, optionally, a river centerline1 to run.

Footnotes

  1. If no river centerline is given, the tool looks for one in OpenStreetMap, using the bounding box around the input DEM.↩︎