Abstract

XIAO-PING, Rui et al. An algorithm for generation of DEMs from contour lines considering geomorphic features. Earth Sci. Res. J. [online]. 2016, vol.20, n.2, pp.1-9. ISSN 1794-6190.  https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v20n2.55348.

Geomorphic information is omitted from many existing methods of generating gridded digital elevation models (DEMs) from contour lines, resulting in significant errors during interpolation. Here, we present an advanced schema for improvement of the comprehensive regionalized method of linear interpolation. This approach uses a moving fitting method for an interpolated point and selects elevation points that are representative of geomorphic features as a whole to improve interpolation quality. A total of 16 points are selected, according to certain criteria, in eight directions surrounding the interpolated point; thus, there are two points in each direction, which is sufficient to provide an accurate representation of the geomorphic features of the DEM. Our method introduces virtual control points to prevent sudden changes in the interpolation results, which helps to overcome problems related to the distortion of the local geospatial distribution in areas where feature geomorphic information is inadequate. We construct the spline interpolation function using intersection points and virtual control points, all of which are applied to compute the point elevation. Moreover, we index all elevation values and spatial points of linear features using the R-tree method to ensure that points related to an interpolated position can be retrieved as quickly as possible. Finally, we test our method using a coal mine elevation dataset. The results confirm that our proposed method can generate DEMs smoothly and, in particular, avoid problems related to local distortion.

Keywords : Digital Elevation Models (DEM); interpolation points; contour lines map; geomorphic features.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )