GeoS4S Module Digital Terrain Analysis

Abstract

Digital Terrain Analysis (DTA) is considered a digital information processing technology for terrain erivatives calculation, terrain features extraction and related geo-analysis by using digital elevation models (DEMs). DTA is to construct mathematical abstractions of the terrain surface to delineate or stratify landscapes and to examine or define the relationships between the terrain surface and various biophysical processes/patterns. This teaching module employs case studies and interactive exercises to introduce the philosophy, values, methods and tools used in DTA. The high-level goal of DTA module is to prepare the student for mapping and understanding the topography and geomorphology of the earth. The current paper summarizes the learning objectives, lesson contents, learning activities and evaluation schemes for this module.