1

Chapter 9 Variogram models

Given a geostatistical model, Z(s), its variogram (h) is formally defined as
where f(s, u) is the joint probability density function of Z(s) and Z(u).
For an intrinsic random field, the variogram can be estimated using the method of
moments estimator, as follows:
where h is the distance separating sample locations s
i
and s
i
+h, N(h) is the number of
distinct data pairs. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to consider direction in
addition to distance. In an isotropic case, h should be written as a scalar h, representing
magnitude.
Note: In the literature the terms variogram and semivariogram are often used interchangeably. By
definition (h) is semivariogram and the variogram is 2(h).
( ) ( ) u s u s u s u s h d d f Z Z Z Z ) , ( ) ( ) (
2
1
) ( ) ( var
2
1
) (
2
}}
= =
| |
2
) (
1
) ( ) (
) ( 2
1
) (

+ =
=
h
h s s
h
h
N
i
i i
z z
N