---
license: other
license_name: copernicus-dem-eula
license_link: https://spacedata.copernicus.eu/documents/20123/121286/CSCDA_ESA_Mission-specific+Annex.pdf
pretty_name: World Copernicus 30 m DEM (Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF)
tags:
- geospatial
- dem
- digital-elevation-model
- elevation
- raster
- cog
- cloud-optimized-geotiff
- copernicus
- earth-observation
---

# World Copernicus 30 m DEM — Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF

A single-file, global **digital elevation model** at ~30 m resolution, packaged as a
**Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF (COG)** so it can be read by range request directly from the Hub
(no full download needed). Derived from **Copernicus DEM** data.

## File

| File | Description |
|---|---|
| `copernicus_world_30m_lerc.cog.tif` | Global 30 m elevation, COG, LERC_ZSTD compressed |

## Raster specification

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1,296,005 × 626,400 px |
| Bands | 1 (elevation, Float32, meters) |
| CRS | EPSG:4326 (WGS 84, geographic) |
| Pixel size | 0.0002777778° ≈ 1 arc-second (~30 m at equator) |
| Extent | lon −180.0014 → 180.0000, lat −89.9999 → 84.0001 |
| Layout | COG, 512 × 512 internal tiles, BAND interleave |
| Compression | `LERC_ZSTD`, `MAX_Z_ERROR=1` (≤ 1 m vertical error) |
| Overviews | 11 levels (down to 633 × 306) |
| NoData | none set |

## Reading without downloading

The COG layout + overviews let clients stream only the tiles/zoom they need.

**GDAL (vsicurl):**
```bash
gdalinfo /vsicurl/https://huggingface.co/datasets/OneAvailableUsername/worldcog/resolve/main/copernicus_world_30m_lerc.cog.tif
```

**Python (rasterio):**
```python
import rasterio
url = "https://huggingface.co/datasets/OneAvailableUsername/worldcog/resolve/main/copernicus_world_30m_lerc.cog.tif"
with rasterio.open(url) as src:
    print(src.profile)
    # windowed read of a small AOI, only the needed tiles are fetched
    window = rasterio.windows.from_bounds(144.9, -37.9, 145.1, -37.7, src.transform)
    elev = src.read(1, window=window)
```

## Notes

- Values are ellipsoidal/orthometric elevations in **meters** as provided by the source Copernicus DEM product.
- `LERC_ZSTD` is lossy to a bounded **1 m** vertical error — suitable for visualization and most analysis, not for sub-meter vertical work.

## Attribution & licence

Produced from **Copernicus DEM** © ESA / European Commission. Use is subject to the
Copernicus DEM licence terms — attribute the source when redistributing or publishing
derived products. Confirm the exact source product (GLO-30 / GLO-90 / EEA-10) and licence
before downstream use.