Extraction of Terrain Relief Amplitude Based on GIS and Change Point Theory

Abstract

Terrain relief amplitude is a macroscopic index that describes the topographic features of an area. GIS-based neighborhood analysis method and statistics-based change point theory are applied to extract the terrain relief amplitude in Guizhou province. The rectangle is selected as the analysis radius. The terrain relief amplitudes under different grids are calculated based on ArcGIS 10.2. In order to determine the optimal analysis grid size, the change point theory is adopted to find the point changing from steep to gentle. Then, the terrain relief amplitude is extracted using the optimal statistical neighborhood. Results show that the terrain of Guizhou province is dominated by tableland, hills and small rolling hills. The research of this paper is useful for further study on geomorphic type divisions and can be promoted to other areas of terrain relief amplitude extraction.