MCD12C1 [hdf] reproject python

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maria_paula
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MCD12C1 [hdf] reproject python

by maria_paula » Wed Dec 03, 2025 12:07 pm America/New_York

Hi!,
I downloaded MODIS land cover data collection 6.1 "MCD12C1", and it has taken me so long to figure out how to reproject it. I was following the user guidelines [https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/documents/1409/MCD12_User_Guide_V61.pdf], but while this document says ULY Grid = 10007554.677, ULX Grid = -20015109.354, the dataset [hdf fromat] itself indicates UpperLeftPointMtrs(-180000000.000000,90000000.000000), LowerRightMtrs=(180000000.000000,-90000000.000000). The projection also seems different, but I just can't figure out how to use "Projection=GCTP_GEO and GridOrigin=HDFE_GD_UL" (information in the dataset).

I am using Python for preprocessing this data, so should I use the guideline information or the dataset information? Is this the same, but in different projections perhaps?

Any information would be much appreciated.

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LP DAAC - lien
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Re: MCD12C1 [hdf] reproject python

by LP DAAC - lien » Wed Dec 03, 2025 2:20 pm America/New_York

Hi,
I think the user guide is not real clear in this instance. The MCD12Q1 and the MCD12Q2 are the tiled products (1200 x 1200-kilometer tiles), and each tile consists of 2400 x 2400, 500m pixels in the Sinusoidal projection. The documentation is referring to those 2 products.

The MCD12C1 is different however, it is a climate modeling grid (CMG). Each of these HDF files cover the entire earth and is made up of 7200 x 3600 grid cells, and each is 5600m resolution. The CMGs are in a basic Lat/Long grid rather than a specific projection as the other 2 are.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Brett

maria_paula
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Re: MCD12C1 [hdf] reproject python

by maria_paula » Wed Dec 03, 2025 4:35 pm America/New_York

Hi Brett,

Thank you so much. Now, I managed to plot it all in line with continents and country borders, so yep, I was overcomplicating this.

Thanks again,

Maria Paula

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