Abstract
The study present a case study of the Generic Mapping Tools (GMT) applied for cartographic modelling, mapping and comparative analysis of the deep-sea trenches located in southwest Pacific Ocean: the New Britain Trench (NBT) and the San Cristobal Trench (SCT). The aim was to evaluate their geomorphic variation using scripting cartographic approach of GMT. The data was processed using a sequence of the GMT modules with the main module 'grdtrack' used to visualize cross-section profiles along the trenches for their geomorphological modelling. The main grid used for topographic mapping is the SRTM DEM with 15-arc second resolution. The statistical analysis shown variability in depths of both trenches by samples in two transects. The cartographic analysis demonstrated following results. The SCT is generally deeper reaching -9,000 m, while the median for the NBT less then 7,000 m. The gradient slope of SCT is more symmetric with accurate 'V' form. In a cross-section graph, the NBT landward slope is markedly asymmetric U-shaped form and has a crescent form in the east. The NBT slope dips westwards with 35° eastward, and 41° westward, while the SCT slope has 33° oceanwards and 33,69° landwards. The difference between the geomorphology of the trenches is explained by the effects of the geotectonic evolution and actual sedimentary processes affected their formation and sculptured their structure. The marine free-air gravity anomaly illustrated density anomalies at the bathymetry in the region of NBT and SCT with range <-60.0 mGal. The geoid values are 56-66 mGal. The study contributed to the submarine geomorphic mapping and presents technical application of the cartographic functionality of GMT used for geomorphological modelling.
Highlights
Selecting the best cartographic GIS software is a topic that attracts attention and gaining importance nowadays with a wide variety of existing GIS
This study presents a Generic Mapping Tools (GMT) as a main cartographic toolset for modelling geomorphological profile of the two deep-se tranches, and visualization the geological and geophysical settings as indication of impact of the tectonic development on the actual landform of the seafloor
Understanding structure of the trench geomorphology is crucial for modelling Earth’s seafloor, as trench may be located on the place of junction of several tectonic plates (LEMENKOVA, 2020f)
Summary
The functionality of GIS software for cartographic plotting, mapping and graphical visualization in a geospatial research can affect the workflow and result in different map layouts. The Generic Mapping Tools (GMT) stands apart from the traditional GIS due to its highly specific functionality consisting of a console and a scripting approach, without Graphical User Interface (GUI) with a menu. The basis for mapping workflow in GMT is writing a script consisting form several lines of code taken together as a script for plotting maps. This can be achieved by a console and traditional scripting development environment (e.g. Xcode, Atom). Many studies on mapping and spatial analysis are based on testing different GIS applied for various research questions, in which a large number of articles reported either the cartographic workflow and techniques of visualization (ČESNULEVIČIUS et al 2019; KESKIN et al 2019; LÓPEZ & BALBOA 2008; WOOD, 1993; LEMENKOVA, 2019a, 2019b, 2020a; BIEDA et al 2020), present analysis of the cartographic visualization (e.g. OSTROWSKI et al 2019; MESENBUR, 2004; KEATES, 1996) or focused on the technical GIS applications (MACEACHREN, 1995; SLOCUM et al 1993; ROBINSON et al 1995). GOMARASCA (2009) points that cartographic visualization and mapping are of fundamental importance for the geospatial data
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