Airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data is an optical remote sensing technology that provides extremely accurate, high resolution elevation data. High resolution elevation data for priority areas identified on the north coast of PNG, including the vulnerable coastal towns of Lae, Madang, Wewak and Vanimo.
The topographic LiDAR for PNG was captured via airborne surveys flown between 5 May and 13 July 2012. It included the four towns of Vanimo, Wewak, Madang and Lae, as well as the connecting coastal strips.
The PNG survey covered 1066km of coastline. The total area of the topographic survey for the PNG town sites was 629km2. Port Moresby being located on the south east of the mainland was not covered by this survey.