Identification of Thalweg and Ridge Networks as Landmarks for Terrain Partitioning

Grid digital elevation models having resolution of 1 m or less are increasingly available to scientists and engineers interested in describing current state and evolution of Earth and space topography. Significant information loss is, however, clearly observed when existing terrain analysis methods are used in geophysical modeling, especially when coarse meshes are needed for computational efficiency. The present study shows how thalweg and ridge networks can be extracted automatically from any high-resolution grid digital elevation model without the need to alter the observed topographic data, and how these networks can be used as landmarks for terrain partitioning. The slopeline network extracted in grid digital elevation models is used to determine ridge points, related average rejunction lengths of slopelines extending from ridge points on opposite slopes, exorheic and endorheic basins. Exorheic and endorheic basins are connected through the spilling saddles from endorheic basins to form the thalweg network, and the related ridge network is identified. The obtained thalweg and ridge networks are characterized by using the known concept of drainage area and the new concept of spread area to provide physically meaningful landmarks for terrain partitioning at the desired level of detail. Although the developed methods are inspired by the observation of gravity-driven processes, they support any investigation in Earth and space science where thalweg and ridge networks are relevant topographic features. Potential impacts are exemplified by quantifications of preserved depressions over a mountain area and benefits from physically meaningful unstructured terrain partitioning in surface flow propagation over a complex floodplain.