Available with Spatial Analyst license.
Available with 3D Analyst license.
Summary
Determines parameters of a raster surface such as aspect, slope and curvatures.
Usage
The output parameters are calculated on a cell-by-cell basis, by fitting a local surface around a target cell. Five surface parameters can be calculated: Slope, Aspect, Mean curvature, Tangential (normal contour) curvature, and Profile (normal slope line) curvature. These options are available in the Parameter type parameter (parameter_type in Python).
All output parameters are calculated using geodesic coordinates and equations.
When the Slope (SLOPE in Python) option is specified for the Parameter type, the output represents the rate of change of elevation for each digital elevation model (DEM) cell. It is the first derivative of a DEM. The range of values from the slope output depends on the type of measurement units.
When the Aspect (ASPECT in Python) option is specified for the Parameter type, the output identifies the compass direction that the downhill slope faces for each location. It is expressed in positive degrees from 0 to 360, measured clockwise from north.
Curvature is used to describe the shape of a surface. When applied to earth science, it is used to help understand the impacts of gravity, erosion and other forces upon the surface, and is used in conjunction with other surface parameters to identify and classify landforms.
- The Mean curvature (MEAN_CURVATURE in Python) measures the overall curvature of the surface. It is computed as the average of the minimum and maximum curvature. When this is specified for the Parameter type, the output is equivalent to mean of profile (normal slope line) and tangential (normal contour) curvatures. Its sign, positive or negative, is not a definitive indicator except at extreme values. High positive values indicate areas of maximum denudation, and high negative values indicate areas of maximum accumulation (Minár et al., 2020).
- The Profile (normal slope line) curvature (PROFILE_CURVATURE in Python) measures the geometric normal curvature along the slope line. Positive values indicate areas of acceleration of surface flow and erosion. Negative profile curvature indicates areas of slowing surface flow and deposition. A positive profile (normal slope line) curvature indicates the surface is convex at that cell in the direction of the slope. A negative curvature indicates the surface is concave at that cell in that same direction. A value of 0 indicates the surface is flat.
- The Tangential (normal contour) curvature (TANGENTIAL_CURVATURE in Python) measures the geometric normal curvature perpendicular to the slope line, tangent to the contour line. Positive values indicate areas of diverging surface flow. Negative tangential curvatures indicates areas of converging surface flow. A positive tangential (normal contour) curvature indicates the surface is convex at that cell perpendicular to the direction of the slope. A negative curvature indicates the surface is concave at that cell in the direction perpendicular to the slope. A value of 0 indicates the surface is flat.
The Quadratic (QUADRATIC in Python) option in Local surface type (local_surface_type in Python) does not fit the neighborhood cells exactly. This is the default, and recommended option for most data and applications.
- The quadratic surface minimizes the effect of noisy surface data such as a high resolution lidar surface, which is especially important when computing curvature.
- The quadratic surface should be used when specifying a neighborhood size that is larger than the cell size, and when using the adaptive neighborhood option.
The Biquadratic (BIQUADRATIC in Python) option in Local surface type fits the data from the neighborhood cells exactly.
- This option is suitable for a highly accurate input surface.
- If the neighborhood distance is larger than the input raster cell size, the accuracy advantages of the biquadratic surface type will be lost. The neighborhood distance should be left as the default (equal to the cell size).
The Neighborhood distance (neighborhood_distance in Python) determines the neighborhood size, and calculates the surface parameter over this distance from the target cell center.
- It cannot be less than the input raster cell size.
- A smaller neighborhood distance captures more local variability in the landscape, characteristics of smaller landscape features. With high resolution elevation data, larger distances may be more appropriate.
If the Use adaptive neighborhood parameter is checked (use_adaptive_neighborhood is set to ADAPTIVE_NEIGHBORHOOD in Python), the neighborhood distance will change with variability in the terrain. The neighborhood distance will shrink if there is too much variability in the calculation window.
Specifying the surface Z unit (z-unit in Python) is important to ensure the proper computation of the slope output.
If a z-unit is available in the vertical coordinate system of the input raster, it will be applied automatically. It is suggested that you define a z-unit for the input raster if it is missing. You can use the Define Projection tool to specify a z-unit. If it is undefined, meter will be used by default.
The range of values in the slope output depends on the type of Output slope measurement (output_slope_measurement in Python) units:
- For Degrees (DEGREE in Python), the range of slope values is 0 to 90.
- For Percent rise (PERCENT_RISE in Python), the range is 0 to essentially infinity. A flat surface is 0 percent, a 45 degree surface is 100 percent, and as the surface becomes more vertical, the percent rise becomes increasingly larger.
If the Project geodesic azimuths parameter is checked (project_geodesic_azimuths is set to PROJECT_GEODESIC_AZIMUTHS in Python), the following are true:
- North is always represented by 360 degrees.
- Azimuths will be projected to correct the distortion caused by a nonconformal Output Coordinate System. These angles can be used to accurately locate points along the steepest downhill slope.
If the Use equatorial aspect parameter is checked (project_geodesic_azimuths is set to USE_EQUATORIAL_ASPECT in Python), aspect will be measured from a point along the equator, to correct for the skewing of direction that happens when approaching the poles. This option ensures that the North-South and East-West axes are perpendicular to each other.
Check the Use equatorial aspect parameter if your terrain is near to the North or South Pole.
References:
- James D.E., M.D. Tomer, S.A. Porter. (2014). Trans-scalar landform segmentation from high-resolution digital elevation models. Poster presented at: ESRI Annual Users Conference; July 2014; San Diego, California.
- Minár, J., Evans, I. S., & Jenčo, M. (2020). A comprehensive system of definitions of land surface (topographic) curvatures, with implications for their application in geoscience modelling and prediction. Earth-Science Reviews, 103414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103414
Syntax
arcpy.3d.SurfaceParameters(in_raster, out_raster, {parameter_type}, {local_surface_type}, {neighborhood_distance}, {use_adaptive_neighborhood}, {z_unit}, {output_slope_measurement}, {project_geodesic_azimuths}, {use_equatorial_aspect})| Parameter | Explanation | Data Type |
in_raster | The input surface raster. | Raster Layer |
out_raster | The output raster. It will be floating-point type. | Raster Dataset |
parameter_type (Optional) | Determines the output surface parameter type to compute.
| String |
local_surface_type (Optional) | Determines the type of surface function fitted around the target cell.
| String |
neighborhood_distance (Optional) | The output is calculated over this distance from the target cell center. It determines the neighborhood size. The default value is the input raster cell size, resulting in a 3 x 3 neighborhood. | Linear Unit |
use_adaptive_neighborhood (Optional) | Allow neighborhood distance to vary with landscape changes. The maximum distance is determined by the neighborhood distance. The minimum distance is the input raster cell size.
| Boolean |
z_unit (Optional) | The linear unit of vertical z-values. It is defined by a vertical coordinate system if it exists. If a vertical coordinate system does not exist, the z-unit should be defined from the unit list to ensure correct geodesic computation. The default is meter.
| String |
output_slope_measurement (Optional) | When parameter_type is SLOPE, determines the measurement units (degrees or percentages) of the output slope raster.
| String |
project_geodesic_azimuths (Optional) | Specifies whether geodesic azimuths will be projected to correct the angle distortion caused by the output spatial reference.
| Boolean |
use_equatorial_aspect (Optional) | Measure aspect from a point on the equator.
| Boolean |
Code sample
The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window.
This example generates a slope raster with output values in percentages, using an adaptive neighborhood method. The maximum neighborhood distance is 5 meters.
from arcpy.ddd import *
SurfaceParameters("elevation_1m.tif", "C:/data/output/outsurfaceparameters01.tif",
"", "", "5 METERS", "ADAPTIVE_NEIGHBORHOOD", "", "PERCENT_RISE")The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script.
This example generates a profile (normal slope line) curvature raster, using an adaptive neighborhood method. The maximum neighborhood distance is 10 meters.
# Name: SurfaceParameters_Ex_02.py
# Description: Derive profile (normal slope line) curvature for a 1m
# resolution elevation raster over an adaptive neighborhood distance of maximum 10m.
# Requirements: 3D Analyst Extension
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy.ddd import *
# Set environment settings
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data"
# Check out the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension license
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")
# Set local variables
inRaster = "elevation_1m.tif"
outRaster = "C:/data/output/outsurfaceparameters02.tif"
inParameterType = "PROFILE_CURVATURE"
inNeighborhoodDistance = "10 METERS"
inUseAdaptiveNeighborhood = "ADAPTIVE_NEIGHBORHOOD"
# Execute the tool
SurfaceParameters(inRaster, outRaster, inParameterType, "",
inNeighborhoodDistance, inUseAdaptiveNeighborhood)The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script.
This example generates an aspect raster using a neighborhood distance of 5 meters. Correct for direction distortions from using a non-conformal projection.
# Name: SurfaceParameters_Ex_03.py
# Description: Derive aspect for an elevation surface over a distance of 5m, correct
# for direction distortion from non-conformal projection system.
# Requirements: 3D Analyst Extension
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy.ddd import *
# Set environment settings
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data"
# Check out the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension license
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")
# Set local variables
inRaster = "elevation_1m.tif"
outRaster = "C:/data/output/outsurfaceparameters03.tif"
inParameterType = "ASPECT"
inNeighborhoodDistance = "5 METERS"
inProjectGeodesicAzimuths = "PROJECT_GEODESIC_AZIMUTHS"
# Execute the tool
SurfaceParameters(inRaster, outRaster, inParameterType, "", inNeighborhoodDistance,
"", "", "", inProjectGeodesicAzimuths)Environments
Licensing information
- Basic: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst
- Standard: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst
- Advanced: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst