| Abstract: | A rapid, computer-based method of simulating ‘geomorphologically-sensible’ three-dimensional terrain data by modelling landform morphology is presented. For some engineering applications such an approach, even in a simple form, is preferable to the synthesis of terrain data by purely stochastic methods, and additionally can be useful where real data sets are difficult to obtain. The approach adopted utilizes a computer program which models landscape evolution by establishing a stream network on a tilted surface, with accompanying fluvial downcutting and slope adjustment. This is achieved by an iterative mechanism that combines deterministic and stochastic processes with geomorphological theory. The end-product is a matrix of high-resolution altitude data that has been used as the terrain model for a vehicle simulation exercise. |
