Landform classification using topographic position index of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

A variety of landforms occupy the surface of the earth, that are formed as a result of natural geomorphologic process that takes place. The main aim of the research is to produce a landform classification map of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu using Topographic Position Index (TPI). Input data for classification is a digital elevation model (DEM) of 30m resolution. With the advent of computer technologies, and subsequent emergence of Geographical Information System (GIS), a simple and quicker approach to extract meaningful information from the terrain data has become possible. The results clearly show that 60% of the area was occupied by open slopes and 15% by plains in the entire district. The Jenness algorithm of landform classification proved to be the easiest and applicable method of classification.