ASSESSMENT OF USING ARC GIS TO DETERMINE SOMELANDFORMS IN AL-SALMAN DEPRESSION/SOUTH IRAQ

Abstract

The study area lies south west to Al- Muthanna governorate; it is about 140 km
away from the governorate center. The study area is about 1296 km2, between
longitudes 44° 24` – 44° 41` Easting, Latitude 30° 18` – 30° 44` Northing. Space
data used in this research is Landsat 7 images by the sensors ETMÑ 2000 beside the
DEM image product by Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM. Using the
present technique we can recognize the landforms in the area depending on
characteristics in Arc GIS program and the ability in the program, as well as,
accuracy of the program which become simulating with features in field. The sketch
technique was done by using DEM image associated with tools box in Arc GIS
program. In order to increase the accuracy of the results we used the "Hill Shade"
method and adding some orders like "Aspect" and "Sink".
From this technique we conclude that Hill shade method enables us to recognized
depressions, structural plains, and pediments. And from Aspect we can recognize the
slope direction while the Sink order we can recognized the sinkholes in the study
area.