The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Washington’s Economy

Fact Sheet 2022-3075
National Geospatial Program
By:

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Abstract

Washington State has a geographically diverse and spectacular landscape that is divided to the east and west by the largely volcanic mountains of the Cascade Range. Approximately 88 percent of the population lives in western Washington, mostly in urban areas. The climate is varied, with high precipitation and seasonal flooding in the western part of the State, while drier conditions are found east of the Cascades. Where the terrain is mountainous, the dominant vegetation is coniferous forests, which are prone to frequent seasonal fires. The climate and land use in combination with a dynamic geology result in frequent landslides. Washington has the second highest risk, after California, of large and damaging earthquakes because of its geologic setting. Critical applications that meet the State’s management needs depend on light detection and ranging (lidar) data that provide a highly detailed three-dimensional (3D) model of the Earth’s surface and aboveground features.

Suggested Citation

Carlson, T., 2023, The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Washington's economy: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2022–3075, 2 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20223075.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

ISSN: 2327-6916 (print)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Geologic Resource Assessment and Hazard Mitigation
  • Forest Resources Management
  • Natural Resources Conservation
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Washington's economy
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2022-3075
DOI 10.3133/fs20223075
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) National Geospatial Program
Description 2 p.
Country United States
State Washington
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details