You are here

Variation and Uncertainty in Bathymetric Slope Calculations Using Geographic Information Systems

TitleVariation and Uncertainty in Bathymetric Slope Calculations Using Geographic Information Systems
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsDolan, MFJ, Lucieer, VL
JournalMarine GeodesyMar. Geod.Mar. Geod.
Volume37
Pagination187-219
Date Published2014/04/03
ISBN Number0149-0419
KeywordsGIS and oceanography
Abstract

Bathymetry data from multibeam echosounders and other acoustic sources are now widely available in the form of digital terrain models, which are conveniently displayed as raster grids in desktop geographic information systems. Calculation of terrain variables such as slope is a simple push-button operation in most geographic information systems; however, as we demonstrate here, there can be a great variation in the slope values obtained due to computation algorithms and resolution or analysis scale. This article also demonstrates how Monte Carlo simulation can be used to visualise uncertainty in the underlying bathymetry dataset and also how this uncertainty impacts on slope calculations.

Short TitleMarine GeodesyMarine Geodesy
Alternate Journalmarine Geodesy