What is a Digital Elevation Model (DEM)?

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is accurately described as a 3D representation of terrain elevation data. It is a representation of the Earth's surface where each pixel or cell in the model corresponds to an elevation value. This allows for the analysis and visualization of topographical features and landscape changes, making it a crucial tool in various fields such as geography, geology, and environmental science.

DEMs are utilized in numerous applications including hydrological modeling, landscape visualization, land use planning, and disaster management, as they provide essential information about the elevation and configuration of the land, which influences water flow, land cover, and the effects of natural disasters.

In contrast, a type of remote sensing satellite describes a class of technology that captures data from space but does not specifically address the representation of elevation data. A visual representation of Earth's oceans relates more to bathymetric data rather than land elevation. An analysis tool for urban development might leverage DEMs but is too vague to capture the specific definition and function of a Digital Elevation Model. Thus, the correct choice accurately encapsulates the comprehensive nature of DEMs in illustrating terrain elevations.