**4. The interactive geomorphologic map: A qualitative and quantitative approach in a GIS environment**

The essential steps required to elaborate the final digital geomorphological map are summarized in Figure 5.

Fig. 5. Flow chart showing the steps required to produce the final digital geomorphological map starting from the analogical data.

The geomorphological map was produced to a medium scale 1:25000, with ESRI's ArcGIS 9.3 (© ESRI) with an equivalent project scale. The Spatial Reference is ED50 (European Datum) UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) Zone 33N. The project extent is set on the

The Use of Remote Sensed Data and GIS to Produce

Layers dip direction Character Marker

Peaks Character Marker

Slope asymmetry Character Marker

Saddle Character Marker

Valley Character Marker

"V" shaped valley Character Marker

Quarry (active) Character Marker

Quarry (inactive) Character Marker

Gully erosion Character Marker

Sheet erosion Character Marker

Valley with a flat

bottom

As an example, Table 2 reports some of the used codes.

Symbol

Symbol

Symbol

Symbol

Symbol

Symbol

Symbol

Symbol

Symbol

Symbol

Symbol

significant characteristics of the landform, are included.

according to their use in this work.

to the features proposed in the official Italian Geomorphological Legend.

**5. Remotely sensed data as a support for the map creation** 

the stage before the preparation of the map and in the successive stages.

Character Marker

a Digital Geomorphological Map of a Test Area in Central Italy 105

**Layer - landforms Type FONT UNICODE** 

Civic

ESRI Geology AGSO 1 162

ESRI Geology 196

ESERI Cartography 164

ESRI Geology USGS 56

Lucida Sans 86

ESRI Geology USGS 200

ESRI Geology AGSO 1 193

ESRI Geology AGSO 1 114

ESRI Geometric Symbols

ESRI Geometric Symbols

Table 2. Some examples of codes used for drawing the symbols in the final map, according

In the Attribute Tables several information are stored for each layer. In particular, for the different lithotypes and superficial deposits the following fields are included: i) a brief description of the lithology, ii) its age and iii) thickness, and iv) a link to a photo of a significant outcrop. For each landform the data included in the attribute table are: i) the main geomorphologic process responsible for landform creation, ii) the state of activity, and iii) the area and the perimeter. A link to a photo, together with a description of the most

Several digital and analogical sources of data can be used to produce thematic maps both in

Aerial photo interpretation is a well-established working tool in Earth Science research; DEMs and satellite images, on the contrary, are considered as new tools with an enormous potential, not yet fully explored. In the following paragraphs the different data are described

114

199

198

ESRI Transportation &

For each landform a unique code for the graphic properties of the layer is individuated.

mask corresponding to the polygon shape of the park boundaries. In the GIS project the background is prepared with a topographic raster image in the TIFF format (Sheet N. 123 of the Topographic Map of Italy) and the river network in a vector format (DWG). The drainage pattern is separated from the other topographic data to highlight the relationships with fluvial landforms.

The traditional working techniques are the first step. Therefore, field survey, aerial photo interpretation and collection of scientific papers focused on the study area are required. An analogical geomorphological map is the intermediate result. The map, scanned and rasterized with a high accuracy, is imported in the GIS project and then georeferenced.

The following stage, the vectorization of each single group of landforms, is particularly important. The symbology associated with a geomorphological map is complex. Thus, it is not always possible to draw symbols identical to those proposed in the traditional and official legends. The "Legend for the Geomorphogical Map of Italy" at a scale of 1:50000 is used as a reference (GLCG, 1994).

Thirty-eight vector layers are compiled. Each layer includes a variable number of landforms. Table 1 summarizes the layers and the relative information.


Table 1. Layers of shapefile corresponding to geologic bedrock complexes, superficial deposits and geomorphologic features vectorized in the project.

mask corresponding to the polygon shape of the park boundaries. In the GIS project the background is prepared with a topographic raster image in the TIFF format (Sheet N. 123 of the Topographic Map of Italy) and the river network in a vector format (DWG). The drainage pattern is separated from the other topographic data to highlight the relationships

The traditional working techniques are the first step. Therefore, field survey, aerial photo interpretation and collection of scientific papers focused on the study area are required. An analogical geomorphological map is the intermediate result. The map, scanned and rasterized with a high accuracy, is imported in the GIS project and then georeferenced.

The following stage, the vectorization of each single group of landforms, is particularly important. The symbology associated with a geomorphological map is complex. Thus, it is not always possible to draw symbols identical to those proposed in the traditional and official legends. The "Legend for the Geomorphogical Map of Italy" at a scale of 1:50000 is

Thirty-eight vector layers are compiled. Each layer includes a variable number of landforms.

6 Fault Structural Factors Polyline 25 Badlands Fluvial Polygon

8 Ridge Structural Factors Polyline 27 Gorge Fluvial Polyline

12 Structural Scarp Structural Factors Polyline 31 Landslide, fall Mass wasting Polygon 13 Flatiron Structural Factors Polyline 32 Landslide, slide Mass wasting Polygon 14 Esplanade area Structural Factors Polygon 33 Landslide, slump Mass wasting Polygon 15 Triangular facet Structural Factors Polygon 34 Landslide, flow Mass wasting Polygon 16 River Fluvial Polyline 35 Travertine Karstic Polygon 17 Valley Fluvial Point 36 Doline Karstic Polygon 18 Alluvial deposit Fluvial Polygon 37 Anthropic scarp Anthropic Polyline 19 Alluvial fan Fluvial Polygon 38 Quarry Anthropic Point Table 1. Layers of shapefile corresponding to geologic bedrock complexes, superficial

Structural Factors Polyline 26 Elbow river

deposit

Superficial deposit Polygon 21 Fluvial scarp Fluvial Polyline

Bedrock Polygon 22 Sheet erosion Fluvial Polygon

Bedrock Polygon 23 Gully erosion Fluvial Polygon

Bedrock Polyline 24 Gully erosion Fluvial Polyline

capture

(actual)

(ancient)

scarp

**N. Layer Landforms Geomorphologic** 

**process** 

Fluvial Polygon

Fluvial Polyline

Mass wasting Polygon

Mass wasting Polygon

Mass wasting Polyline

**Shape feature** 

**Shape feature** 

with fluvial landforms.

used as a reference (GLCG, 1994).

**N. Layer Landforms Geomorphologic** 

2 Eluvial Colluvial deposits

3 Terrigenous Complex 1

4 Terrigenous Complex 2

5 Calcareous Complex

7 Fractures and joints line

Table 1 summarizes the layers and the relative information.

1 Park boundary Topographic Polygon 20 Fluvial lacustrine

9 Peaks Structural Factors Point 28 Debris deposit

10 Sadde Structural Factors Point 29 Debris deposit

11 Slope asymmetry Structural Factors Point 30 Gravitational

deposits and geomorphologic features vectorized in the project.

**process** 

For each landform a unique code for the graphic properties of the layer is individuated.


As an example, Table 2 reports some of the used codes.

Table 2. Some examples of codes used for drawing the symbols in the final map, according to the features proposed in the official Italian Geomorphological Legend.

In the Attribute Tables several information are stored for each layer. In particular, for the different lithotypes and superficial deposits the following fields are included: i) a brief description of the lithology, ii) its age and iii) thickness, and iv) a link to a photo of a significant outcrop. For each landform the data included in the attribute table are: i) the main geomorphologic process responsible for landform creation, ii) the state of activity, and iii) the area and the perimeter. A link to a photo, together with a description of the most significant characteristics of the landform, are included.
