Morphometry

Morphometry 

quantitative description of the relief of the earth’s surface. The basic morphometric indexes are numerical measures of relief forms: linear, areal, and volumetric measures, absolute and relative elevations of individual geomorphological regions, the depth and density of dissection, and abstract indexes (coefficient of meandering of a river channel, coastline, and the like). Morphometric data are usually obtained by processing topographical maps, but the use of aerial photographs is also possible (employing stereophotogrammetric methods). Special morphometric maps or sets of maps are compiled on the basis of the measurements and computations made. Morphometric data are essential for planning structures, roads, steps to combat erosion, and the like.