Morphological Terrain Classification and Analysis Using Geostatistical Techniques

Nowadays there is a wide range of systems that provide an efficient and fast data capture for the DEM generation and the spread of the computer systems has allowed the use of DEM to a high number of technicians. Unfortunately, the DEM analysis tools do not have similar development. Actually, the analyses are mainly based in the application of local scale operators that provide additional information. In this paper we present a methodology based on the geostatistical techniques applied to the analysis and classification of the different terrain morphologies obtained from the DEM. It is based on the use of several parameters obtained from the spatial autocorrelation functions together with other parameters obtained directly from the DEM following a moving-windows schema. Through this process it is possible to obtain a multivariate digital model that include information relative to the terrain heights, like, for example, variability, continuity level and anisotropies. A non-supervised classification process is applied to the multivariate digital model. This classification allows selecting the more interesting parameters in order to make the final classification. The main advantage of this method is based on its capabilities of the DEM analysis following a multiscalar schema. The analysis can include very interesting aspects like the anisotropies and other information derived from the structural analysis. This methodology is illustrated with an application example to the Guadix-Baza basin (S of Spain). * Corresponding author.