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Slope aspect

Slope aspect is an angle between the northern direction and the horizontal projection of the two-dimensional vector of gradient counted clockwise at a given point of the topographic surface*. The unit of measurement is degree.

Once elevations are given by . where x and y are Cartesian co-ordinates, slope aspect (A) is a function of the partial derivatives of z:

,

where  and .

Slope aspect is a measure of the direction of gravity-driven flows.

Like other local morphometric variables, slope aspect can be derived from a digital elevation model (DEM) by finite-difference methods (e.g., IF-2009 method and IF-1998 method) as well as the universal spectral analytical method.

Example**. A model of slope aspect was derived from a DEM of Mount Ararat by the universal spectral analytical method. The model includes 779,401 points (the matrix 1081 x 721); the grid spacing is 1". The vertical exaggeration of the 3D model is 2x. The data processing and modelling were carried out using the software Matlab R2008b.

 

References

* Shary, P.A., 1995. Land surface in gravity points classification by a complete system of curvatures. Mathematical Geology, 27: 373390.

** Florinsky, I.V., 2017. An illustrated introduction to general geomorphometry. Progress in Physical Geography, 41: 723–752.  doi  pdf

 

For details and other examples, see:

DIGITAL TERRAIN ANALYSIS

IN SOIL SCIENCE AND GEOLOGY

 

2nd revised edition

 

 

I.V. Florinsky

 

Elsevier / Academic Press, 2016

Amsterdam, 486 p.

 

ISBN 978-0-12-804632-6

 

 

 

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