SRTM Downloader Plugins in QGIS

Photo by XPS on Unsplash

Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) is mounted on a Space Shuttle and obtains Earth surface data by remote sensing technology utilizing a synthetic aperture radar. For the technicalities of the technology, check it out in this link. The focus of this article will be directed to the SRTM image that can be downloaded from QGIS in a simple step. Previously, I created an article on how to download SRTM and other satellite images that contain DEM information using the Earth Data Platform. Now, SRTM Downloader plugin is already available to make the process faster.

How to access the SRTM Downloader?

Here are the steps to download SRTM image using the plugins available on QGIS.

1. Create an account in Earth Data Platform

Check out this link to know the step to create your personal account.

2. Open your QGIS and go to Plugins

After checking the Plugins at the menu bar, choose “Manage and Install Plugins”

3. Install the SRTM Downloader plugin

4. Open plugins

After the plugin is installed, click Plugins and go to SRTM-Downloader

5. Insert your area of interest and start downloading

You can show one of the areas into QGIS. In this example, I am using the shapefile of Nam Dinh city, Vietnam from OSM.

Insert your preferred area

This is the display of SRTM Downloader window

Fill in your username from the account that you have created previously

Determine the output path, set the canvas extent (it will automatically follow your shapefile location), then click download

Wait until the process is complete. This is the SRTM output.