Description
Calculate coordinate displacement and distance from a landslide scar's head to toe.
Geomorphic measurements distinguish signed coordinates, grain-size scales, profile derivatives and transported-mass or cross-section bases. A supplied datum adjustment or threshold does not detect a landform or establish a process. Plan distance, profile second derivative and slope-normalized curvature are different quantities.
Calculate coordinate displacement and distance from a landslide scar's head to toe.
When to use this tool
Use Landslide Scar Head Toe Distance Term when checking the stated local landform, sediment, profile or coordinate convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter headX, headY, headZ, toeX, toeY, toeZ. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read planDistance, straightLineDistance. Use the output convention below.
Compute toe-minus-head coordinate differences. Return horizontal hypot(dx,dy) and spatial hypot(dx,dy,dz) distances.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| headX | Head X | Required. Finite number. |
| headY | Head Y | Required. Finite number. |
| headZ | Head Z | Required. Finite number. |
| toeX | Toe X | Required. Finite number. |
| toeY | Toe Y | Required. Finite number. |
| toeZ | Toe Z | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| planDistance | Plan Distance | Required. Finite number. |
| straightLineDistance | Straight Line Distance | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"headX": 0,
"headY": 0,
"headZ": 12,
"toeX": 3,
"toeY": 4,
"toeZ": 0
},
"output": {
"planDistance": 5,
"straightLineDistance": 13
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Use one Cartesian coordinate frame and length unit; these are straight distances, not runout, terrain-path length or landslide risk.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use calibrated surveys, mapped geometry and suitable complete sediment/terrain models for trends, process interpretation, uncertainty or hazard assessment.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Valley Floor Confinement Width Ratio
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- Hillslope Profile Curvature Three Point Term Tool
Calculate an equal-spacing three-point elevation second derivative, distinct from slope-normalized geometric curvature.