Curvature
Overview
Calculates surface curvature from an input DEM to describe changes in terrain bending.
This tool analyzes terrain morphology cell by cell from a digital elevation model (DEM). The DEM coordinate system, resolution, and elevation unit directly affect result interpretation, so confirm whether the horizontal and vertical units are consistent before analysis.
Use Cases
- Basic preprocessing before terrain analysis such as slope orientation, solar radiation, and flow direction studies.
- Surface morphology studies such as landslide susceptibility, ecological suitability, and geomorphic zoning.
- Terrain factor input for hydrology analysis, soil erosion analysis, and engineering site selection.
Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Input DEM raster file | Input digital elevation model (DEM) raster file. | Required |
| Curvature type | Curvature type to calculate. | Required; default: curvature; options: total curvature (curvature), planform curvature (planform_curvature), profile curvature (profile_curvature) |
| Z-axis scale factor | Multiplier applied to elevation values before calculation. | Required; default: 1.0 |
| Output curvature raster file | Output curvature raster file. | Required |
Steps
- Start the tool: Open the Geoprocessing Toolbox, go to Thematic Analysis > Terrain Analysis, and start the Curvature tool.
- Prepare the input: Select the Input DEM raster file and confirm that the input data is complete and readable.
- Set core parameters: Configure Curvature type and Z-axis scale factor according to the analysis objective.
- Set the output: Specify the Output curvature raster file and confirm that the output path, format, and naming rules meet later workflow requirements.
- Run and inspect results: Click Run to execute the task. After it completes, check whether the result range, value distribution, and spatial location are as expected.
Notes
- When multiple rasters are used together, first confirm that their coordinate systems, resolutions, extents, and grid alignment are consistent.
- Voids, noise, and abnormal elevation values in the DEM directly affect terrain factors such as slope, aspect, and curvature.
- If the elevation unit differs from the horizontal unit, use the Z-axis scale factor to correct the vertical-to-horizontal ratio.