Viewshed analysis

<p>Viewshed analysis is a computational algorithm that delineates a <a href="/facts/Viewshed/XXhjrKGz">viewshed</a>, the area that is visible (on the base <a href="/facts/Terrain/r2lduLeI">terrain</a> surface) from a given location. It is a common part of the <a href="/facts/Terrain_analysis/ywBb4d0A">terrain analysis</a> toolset found in most <a href="/facts/Geographic_information_system/PoP1kVoa">geographic information system</a> (GIS) software. The analysis uses the elevation value of each cell of the <a href="/facts/Digital_elevation_model/LMWSPfex">digital elevation model</a> (DEM) to determine visibility to or from a particular cell. The location of this particular cell varies depending on the needs of the analysis. 
For example, a viewshed analysis is commonly used to locate communication towers or determining the view from a road. Viewsheds can be calculated using an individual point such as a tower or multiple points such as a line representing a road. When analyzing a line segment, each of the <a href="/facts/Vertex_(geometry)/ID3cea9z">vertices</a> along the line is calculated to determine its visible area. The process can also be reversed. For example, when locating a <a href="/facts/Landfill/7K4efGgz">landfill</a>, the analysis can determine from where the landfill is visible to keep it hidden from view.
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Viewshed analysis open-in-new

Viewshed analysis