INTEGRATION OF LANDSAT TM DATA AND
SPOT DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL ApPLIED
TO GEOSCIENTIFIC AND GEOTECHNICAL
RESEARCH IN THE AREA NORTH OF
KATHMANDU, NEPAL
G. GABERT"], K. M. AMATYA b , C. BARD/NET'],
E. BOURNAy d , P. HOPPE e and P. PRADHAN d ,]
aCODATA-Germany, D-309J6 lsernhagen, Germany
bCore Consultancy Ltd., P.O. Box 720, Kathmandu, Nepal
cE.N.S., 45 rue d'Ulm, F-75230 Paris Cedex 05, France
dICIMOD, P.O. Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
eBGR, Stilleweg 2, D-30655 Hannover, Germany
ABSTRACT
The paper presents an initial study within the scope of a CODATA Project on the
availability, acquisition and analysis of geo-environmental data on a regional
scale in the Himalayas of Nepal and Tibet. In this project, digital multisatellite
data and multidisciplinary environmental information will be connected by means
of geographical information systems (GIS), in order to study the interdependence
of problems like deforestation and soil erosion; lithology, morphology and landslides; snow-melting, glacial lake outbursts and flooding; socio-economic climatic
changes and regional climate variations. For the case studies of the project, which
will be carried out in interdisciplinary and international cooperation, two well
defined areas in Central Nepal and in Southern Tibet have been selected. The
project will advance environmental geo-indicators, facilitate risk assessment and
contribute to cause-effect analysis of geo-hazards and management policy options
of hazard prevention. In this paper, a digital 3-dimensional elevation model
(DEM) derived from SPOT stereo-images is digitally connected with LANDSAT TM
color composites and geological map compilations of the Melamchi area north of
Kathmandu. The resulting 3-dimensional thematic and geological maps will
facilitate the interpretation of complicated geological problems, for example at the
northern margin of the Kathmandu Valley, where gneisses of the High Himalaya
are in contact with metamorphic rocks of the Kathmandu Complex. The
geoscientific interpretation will also contribute to the solution of problems in
engineering-geological and geotechnical projects in this area.
I To whom correspondence may be addressed
C. Bardinet et al. (eds.), Geosciences and Water Resources: Environmental Data Modeling
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1997
SPOT DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL ApPLIED
TO GEOSCIENTIFIC AND GEOTECHNICAL
RESEARCH IN THE AREA NORTH OF
KATHMANDU, NEPAL
G. GABERT"], K. M. AMATYA b , C. BARD/NET'],
E. BOURNAy d , P. HOPPE e and P. PRADHAN d ,]
aCODATA-Germany, D-309J6 lsernhagen, Germany
bCore Consultancy Ltd., P.O. Box 720, Kathmandu, Nepal
cE.N.S., 45 rue d'Ulm, F-75230 Paris Cedex 05, France
dICIMOD, P.O. Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
eBGR, Stilleweg 2, D-30655 Hannover, Germany
ABSTRACT
The paper presents an initial study within the scope of a CODATA Project on the
availability, acquisition and analysis of geo-environmental data on a regional
scale in the Himalayas of Nepal and Tibet. In this project, digital multisatellite
data and multidisciplinary environmental information will be connected by means
of geographical information systems (GIS), in order to study the interdependence
of problems like deforestation and soil erosion; lithology, morphology and landslides; snow-melting, glacial lake outbursts and flooding; socio-economic climatic
changes and regional climate variations. For the case studies of the project, which
will be carried out in interdisciplinary and international cooperation, two well
defined areas in Central Nepal and in Southern Tibet have been selected. The
project will advance environmental geo-indicators, facilitate risk assessment and
contribute to cause-effect analysis of geo-hazards and management policy options
of hazard prevention. In this paper, a digital 3-dimensional elevation model
(DEM) derived from SPOT stereo-images is digitally connected with LANDSAT TM
color composites and geological map compilations of the Melamchi area north of
Kathmandu. The resulting 3-dimensional thematic and geological maps will
facilitate the interpretation of complicated geological problems, for example at the
northern margin of the Kathmandu Valley, where gneisses of the High Himalaya
are in contact with metamorphic rocks of the Kathmandu Complex. The
geoscientific interpretation will also contribute to the solution of problems in
engineering-geological and geotechnical projects in this area.
I To whom correspondence may be addressed
C. Bardinet et al. (eds.), Geosciences and Water Resources: Environmental Data Modeling
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1997