r.param.scale - Extracts terrain parameters from a DEM.
Contents
Description
r.param.scale extracts terrain parameters from a digital elevation model. Uses a multi-scale approach by
fitting a bivariate quadratic polynomial to a given window size using least squares.
The module calculates the following parameters (terminology is from Wood, 1996 with related terminology
used in other GRASS modules listed in brackets):
• elev: Generalised elevation value (for resampling purposes at different scale)
• slope: Magnitude of maximum gradient (steepest slope angle)
• aspect: Direction of maximum gradient (steepest slope direction=flow direction)
• profc: profile curvature (curvature intersecting with the plane defined by Z axis and maximum
gradient direction). Positive values describe convex profile curvature, negative values concave
profile curvature.
• planc: plan curvature (horizontal curvature, intersecting with the XY plane)
• longc: longitudinal curvature (profile curvature intersecting with the plane defined by the
surface normal and maximum gradient direction)
• crosc: cross-sectional curvature (tangential curvature intersecting with the plane defined by the
surface normal and a tangent to the contour - perpendicular to maximum gradient direction)
• maxic: maximum curvature (can be in any direction)
• minic: minimum curvature (in direction perpendicular to the direction of of maximum curvature)
• feature: Morphometric features: peaks, ridges, passes, channels, pits and planes
Example
The next commands will create a geomorphological map of the Spearfish sample dataset region:
g.region raster=elevation.10m -p
r.param.scale in=elevation.10m output=morphology method=feature size=9
Figure:GeomorphologicalmapofasubregionintheSpearfish(SD)areaKeywords
raster, geomorphology, terrain, elevation, landform
Name
r.param.scale - Extracts terrain parameters from a DEM.
Uses a multi-scale approach by taking fitting quadratic parameters to any size window (via least
squares).
Notes
In r.param.scale the direction of maximum gradient (considered downslope) is stored as (West is 0 degree,
East is +/- 180 degree):
• 0..+180 degree from West to North to East
• 0..-180 degree from West to South to East
Note that the aspect map is calculated differently from r.slope.aspect.
References
• Wood, J. (1996): The Geomorphological characterisation of Digital Elevation Models. Diss.,
Department of Geography, University of Leicester, U.K
online at: http://hdl.handle.net/2381/34503
• Java Code in LandSerf that implements the same procedure
See Also
r.geomorphon,r.slope.aspect
Source Code
Available at: r.param.scale source code (history)
Accessed: Friday Apr 04 01:19:24 2025
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© 2003-2025 GRASS Development Team, GRASS GIS 8.4.1 Reference Manual
GRASS 8.4.1 r.param.scale(1grass)
Synopsis
r.param.scaler.param.scale--helpr.param.scale [-c] input=nameoutput=name [slope_tolerance=float] [curvature_tolerance=float]
[size=integer] [method=string] [exponent=float] [zscale=float] [--overwrite] [--help]
[--verbose] [--quiet] [--ui]
Flags:-c
Constrain model through central window cell
--overwrite
Allow output files to overwrite existing files
--help
Print usage summary
--verbose
Verbose module output
--quiet
Quiet module output
--ui
Force launching GUI dialog
Parameters:input=name[required]
Name of input raster map
output=name[required]
Name for output raster map containing morphometric parameter
slope_tolerance=float
Slope tolerance that defines a ’flat’ surface (degrees)
Default: 1.0curvature_tolerance=float
Curvature tolerance that defines ’planar’ surface
Default: 0.0001size=integer
Size of processing window (odd number only)
Options: 3-499
Default: 3method=string
Morphometric parameter in ’size’ window to calculate
Options: elev,slope,aspect,profc,planc,longc,crosc,minic,maxic,feature
Default: elevexponent=float
Exponent for distance weighting (0.0-4.0)
Default: 0.0zscale=float
Vertical scaling factor
Default: 1.0Todo
Fix bug when `constrain through central cell’ option selected. Create color tables for all output files
(presently only on features).
