Synergetic Use of Satellite Image and DEM for Identification of Landforms in a Ridge-Valley Topography

Tapas R Martha,K Vinod Kumar,Rajarshi Saha

doi:10.4236/ijg.2012.33051

Abstract

Multispectral satellite image and digital elevation model (DEM) have emerged as the primary data sources for the mapping of landforms. They offer an opportunity to gain a fresh insight into the geomorphology of an area through landform identification using spatial, temporal, spectral and radiometric resolution of satellite images, and through the synergetic approach using DEM derivatives such as profile, slope, hill shading, contour pattern and 3-D flythrough visuals. This paper demonstrates an integrated study of Resourcesat-1 LISS III (23.5 m) image with ASTER DEM (30 m) for the identification of landforms in a rugged topography where conventional field based methods are difficult to adopt due to terrain inaccessibility. Satellite image aided by 3-D visualisation helped in accurate identification of landforms such as hogback, cuesta, plateau top and intermontane valley. The results showed that although denudational processes are active in this area, structural imprints of the strata that is mostly of proterozoic era, are still preserved.

Highlights

Geomorphology, the branch of science that deals with the study of landforms, is a subject of great significance because of its requirement across disciplines
This paper demonstrates an integrated study of Resourcesat-1 LISS III (23.5 m) image with ASTER digital elevation model (DEM) (30 m) for the identification of landforms in a rugged topography where conventional field based methods are difficult to adopt due to terrain inaccessibility
Since the study area is in a ridgevalley topography, the profiles (2D and 3D) derived from ASTER DEM were very useful in the visualisation of the terrain, which is essential in geomorphological mapping

Summary

Introduction

Geomorphology, the branch of science that deals with the study of landforms, is a subject of great significance because of its requirement across disciplines. Geomorphology has long been treated as a subject with landform identification by field investigation. Each of these investigations was focused on landform characterization leading to the process understanding. After more than a hundred years as a recognized discipline, landform characterization through field investigation remains central to many geomorphological studies until recent. New trends have emerged that integrate field work with modern technologies such as GIS, GPS, remote sensing and elevation models, which further strengthens the study of relationship between the landforms and the processes that created them. Scientists have conducted research and shown the use fulness of spatial technologies, remote sensing and field studies in landform mapping and understanding of geomorphic processes [4]

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