Obscured from view by vegetation and built structures, Iowa’s often subtle landforms are revealed through a LiDAR-derived bare earth digital elevation model in a Geographic Information System. Geological and human made features can be seen in this series of LiDAR color hillshade maps from across the State.
Loess
Deep deposits of wind-blown silt define the Loess Hills region of western Iowa. Intricate drainage networks and agricultural terraces are visible in this map from along the West Nishnabotna River near Hamburg.
![](https://www.iowaView.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/LiDAR_Loess-1.jpg)
![](https://www.iowaView.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Loess_Inset.jpg)