Knowledge of the topography of the Earth’s surface is important for many EOS studies.  On a global scale, topography affects the circulation of the atmosphere and ocean water.  The topography of continents affects the gravity field, the interpretation of which, in turn, provides information on the geology and structure of the land.  Locally, the topography must be known in order to predict areas of flooding, the distribution of vegetation types, and the degree of soil erosion to be expected.
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The hue and saturation of colors in this image are controlled by the depth or elevation of the land. The colors indicate the depth, from darkest blue – the deepest – to bright red – the highest points.