Positional Accuracy Assessment of Historical Google Earth Imagery
Peter C. Nwilo., Chukwuma J. Okolie, Johanson C. Onyegbula, Ikenna D., Arungwa, Owolabi Q. Ayoade, Olagoke E. Daramola, Michael J. Orji, Ikechukwu, D. Maduako, Imeime I. Uyo

TL;DR
This study assesses the horizontal and vertical positional accuracy of historical Google Earth imagery in Lagos, Nigeria, revealing improvements over time and comparing elevation data with other DEM sources.
Contribution
It provides a comprehensive evaluation of Google Earth's historical imagery accuracy and compares its elevation data with other digital elevation models.
Findings
2018 imagery is most accurate
Vertical RMSE for GE is 6.213m
SRTM and AW3D have better vertical accuracy
Abstract
Google Earth is the most popular virtual globe in use today. Given its popularity and usefulness, most users do not pay close attention to the positional accuracy of the imagery, and there is limited information on the subject. This study evaluates the horizontal accuracy of historical GE imagery at four epochs between year 2000 and 2018, and the vertical accuracy of its elevation data within Lagos State in Nigeria, West Africa. The horizontal accuracies of the images were evaluated by comparison with a very high resolution (VHR) digital orthophoto while the vertical accuracy was assessed by comparison with a network of 558 ground control points. The GE elevations were also compared to elevation data from two readily available 30m digital elevation models (DEMs), the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) v3.0 and the Advanced Land Observing Satellite World 3D (AW3D) DEM v2.1. The most…
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Taxonomy
TopicsSatellite Image Processing and Photogrammetry · 3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage · Remote Sensing in Agriculture
