摘要：This paper evaluated the vertical accuracy of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), available freely online (SRTM 1, ASTER, TOPODATA, SRTM 4 and “BRASIL em Relevo”), for two areas with different topographic settings: an area in the Amazon region, with smooth relief and Environmental Protection Area (APA) in Petropolis, RJ, with mountainous terrain. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the data generated by the models in terms of precision and vertical accuracy for the two fields of study proposed. Thus, the research consists in, from the results, finding the DEMs with better performance, which can be later used in the studies that are developed from altimetric information. The methodology used follows the rules laid down by the Cartographic Accuracy Standard (PEC), for the scales of 1:50.000 and 1:100.000, using the models mentioned and points of validation. The results showed that for both areas, the models reach Class A of the scale 1:100.000, except in the model “BRASIL em Relevo” that for APA Petrópolis, just fit in the category C of the scale 1:100.000. In category C of the scale 1:50.000, only the models SRTM 1 and SRTM 4 in APA Petrópolis were within the parameters. In the same area, the model TOPODATA showed the best results, reaching the PEC 1: 50.000, Class B. In order to refine the data, since it is a hilly area, a slope evaluation was applied at APA Petrópolis. Thus, the model that showed best results were TOPODATA (29,56% and 25,47%) with the most precision points on highly wavied and montainous relief.
