GIS5935: Mod5 Surface Interpolation

 In this lab, we explored different interpolation methods to create continuous surfaces from point data using ArcGIS Pro. Part A focused on generating a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from elevation points using IDW and Spline interpolation. Comparing the two surfaces showed that Spline produces smoother results but can exaggerate extreme values, while IDW provides a more realistic representation of terrain. Raster calculations highlighted the areas where the two methods differ.



Part B applied interpolation to water quality data in Tampa Bay. Thiessen polygons, IDW, and Spline methods were used to create continuous surfaces. Results showed that Spline can overestimate values in areas with sparse sampling, whereas IDW and Thiessen provide more conservative estimates. This lab emphasized the importance of choosing an appropriate interpolation method based on data distribution, density, and analysis goals.



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