Chapter 9-

Digital Terrain
Modeling
Figure 9.13
 Mesh Simplification
► The process by which a TIN model is
constructed from DEM data.

► Ithas been shown that the number of

elevation points in DEMs obtained
from the USGS may be reduced
significantly (to less than 5%) in TINs
with only a very minor decrease in
quality.
 Surface Representation and
Analysis
► DigitalTerrain Modeling may be used
to answer a variety of spatial
questions by employing one or more of
the following classes of analytical
techniques:

 Interpolation and Surface Fitting

 Creating New DEM data sets
 Extraction of Topographic Attributes and
Landscape Features
Figure 9.18
Figure 9.19
 What you don’t already know
about Interpolation
► Local and global algorithms

► Trend surface analysis

► Krigingand its glory-its an optimum

interpolation method that incorporates
 Attribute values
 Spatial Autocorrelation
 Directional Trends
Figure 9.16
Figure 9.17
 Extraction of Topographic
Attributes and Landscape
Features
► Primary Attributes one can extract:
 Elevation
 Slope
 Aspect
 Catchment Area
 Flow Path
 Flow Accumulation
 Profile Curvature: curvature of slope
 Plan Curvature: contour curvature
Figure 9.20
Figure 9.21