Danish Geodata Agency rolls out upgraded depth model

The Danish Geodata Agency has just unveiled Denmark’s Depth Model (DDM) version 2.0, now offering improved data coverage and incorporating brand-new data sources. Two years after launching the original DDM with a 50-metre resolution, the agency is proud to present this enhanced edition.

The depth model remains at a resolution of 50 metres, but data from entirely new sources has been integrated into the new version. This means that some of the depth data now also comes from satellites and airborne laser (Lidar) – particularly in the shallow areas near the coast. In addition, much data has been collected through Crowdsourced Bathymetry (CSB), which has contributed to better data coverage, also in deeper waters. An advantage of CSB is that data is collected from ships already operating at sea.

Improved accuracy and consistency

Thanks to the European collaboration EMODnet Bathymetry, the transition at national marine borders has been greatly improved, providing clearer and more consistent coverage at the edges of Denmark’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the new model. Additionally, the new version features a reduction in interpolated data by about 5%. This means that areas where depths were once estimated based on informed assumptions have been replaced with more precise measurements.

It is not just the quantity of data that has increased; the data is now unified under a single vertical reference, or datum. This consolidation results in more uniform depth measurements, eliminating significant discrepancies between datasets.

While this model, like its predecessor, is not intended for navigation, its value lies in much more than that. The 50-metre model is an essential tool for maritime planning, supporting projects such as wind farms, bridges and tunnels, and is crucial for creating accurate storm surge, wave and climate models. This resource also opens up the exploration of Denmark’s seafloor to a wide range of users – from students and researchers to public authorities and private companies – who need a comprehensive overview of marine areas and depths.

The depth model is freely accessible on the Danish Geodata Agency’s website and Dataforsyningen. It can be downloaded as a GeoTiff or accessed via an online web service that includes a shadow map option. Additionally, two supplementary layers provide insights into the source data, including its origin date, which offers an indication of the data quality.

In April 2023, Hydro International published an article titled ‘Introducing the Denmark Depth Model’, offering an in-depth look at a new bathymetric model covering Denmark’s EEZ. The article was authored by Giuseppe Masetti.