Description
Return relief and relief/basinLength.
Geomorphic geometry uses lengths, areas, volumes, and dimensionless shape ratios to summarize a feature. Grain axes, channel dimensions, and angular units need explicit definitions because similar field names can describe different measurements.
Return relief and relief/basinLength.
When to use this tool
Use Relief Ratio Basin Length Term when you need a geometric summary of a supplied landform or sediment measurement.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter highestElevation, outletElevation, basinLength. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read relief, reliefRatio. Use the output convention below.
Require highestElevation at least outletElevation and positive basinLength. Return relief and relief/basinLength.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| highestElevation | Highest Elevation | Required. Finite number. |
| outletElevation | Outlet Elevation | Required. Finite number. |
| basinLength | Basin Length | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| relief | Relief | Required. Finite number. |
| reliefRatio | Relief Ratio | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"highestElevation": 800,
"outletElevation": 200,
"basinLength": 10000
},
"output": {
"relief": 600,
"reliefRatio": 0.06
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Elevations share a datum and all lengths share units; the ratio is dimensionless rather than a percent or angle, without delineating the basin or establishing terrain processes.
- 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
Inspect the measured feature and sampling method for the intended geometric definition. Use a spatial model or complete distribution when a single shape ratio or local term is insufficient.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Channel Sinuosity Valley Reference Ratio
Return channel/valley, channel/straight, and valley/straight ratios.
- Drainage Density Map Length Area Factor
Convert length and area independently and divide physicalLength by physicalArea.