A Classification of the Micro-topography in the Ili River Delta of Balkhash Lake by Satellite and DSM Data

Abstract

In this study, the micro-topographical classification on the basis of extraction of geomorphological feature information such as sand dune, terrace and former river bed was carried out through the integrated analysis of LANDSAT-8/OLI mosaic data, ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 data, and the existing DSM in the delta area along the Ili River of Balkhash Lake. The study result showed the possibilities of the classification with six categories including the oldest delta in the object area and its vicinity through the analysis of the sand dune distribution by filtering operation for DSM, the PALSAR-2 ScanSAR intensity data, and the vegetation covering and high soil moisture area distribution by NDVI and NDWI derived from OLI data.