Elevation Analysis of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Surface Based on DEM Data

The Qinghai-Xizang plateau have been attracting more and more interest from different parts of the world, because of the particular geographic location, huge horizontal scale, vertical elevation and its great effects on the global climate change. However, up to now, there have not been an accurately calculation and systematic analysis of the eleva- tion of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Surface and its distribution. Based on the SRTM3-DEM data and the technique of spatial analysis in GIS, the elevation of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Surface and its distribution are calculated and ana- lyzed. It suggests that the main part of the Plateau Surface distributes in the range of 4400 - 5300 m.a.s.l and with a cen- ter elevation of 4950 m.a.s.l. And it is concluded that the grid unit of 13 × 13 (1.37 km 2 ) is the optimum statistical unit for calculating the relief amplitude in Tibet Plateau by using SRTM3-DEM.