Terrain classification is the process of categorizing the Earth’s surface into distinct terrain or landform types (such as plains, hills, ridges, valleys, mountains, and plateaus) based on their physical and geomorphological characteristics. In GIS and remote sensing, it converts raw elevation and imagery data into meaningful terrain classes for analysis and decision-making.​

Terrain classification involves labeling landforms and surface morphologies using measures like elevation, slope, aspect, curvature, and roughness. These measures are typically derived from digital elevation models (DEMs) and imagery, then grouped into terrain classes using rule-based or statistical/machine-learning methods.​

Common terrain classes

Typical broad terrain classes include: plains, hills, plateaus, mountains, valleys, ridges, terraces, fans, and escarpments. In applied fields like highway engineering, a simpler slope-based scheme often distinguishes level/plain, rolling, mountainous, and steep terrain using cross-slope thresholds (for example, plains 0–10%, rolling 10–25%, mountainous 25–60%, steep >60%).​

Methods of Classifying

In geomorphometric approaches, terrain derivatives such as slope gradient, local relief, surface texture (valley density), local convexity/concavity, and height above nearest drainage (HAND) are computed from DEMs at one or more scales. These variables are then combined using classification rules or clustering algorithms (e.g., k-means) to separate areas into landform patterns such as mountains, volcanic areas, hills, terraces, fans, and plains.​

Link(s) and Source(s):

Terrain classification underpins many geographic and environmental analyses, including geomorphological mapping, hazard and vulnerability assessment, and soil and seismic susceptibility mapping. It is also widely used in environmental management, urban and regional planning, infrastructure siting, military mobility analysis, and habitat and hydrological modeling.​

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