what is the purpose of vertical exaggeration?
The purpose of vertical exaggeration is to visually enhance the vertical scale of a graph or map to better represent variations in elevation or topography. By exaggerating the vertical dimension, features such as mountains, valleys, and other elevation changes can be more easily distinguished and understood.
To achieve vertical exaggeration, you need to know the original scale of the graph or map, as well as the desired vertical exaggeration factor. Here's how you can calculate it:
1. Determine the original vertical scale: This is usually given as a ratio or a specific unit of measurement per unit of distance (e.g., 1:10,000 or 1 inch = 100 feet).
2. Decide on the desired vertical exaggeration factor: This factor will determine how much to stretch or compress the vertical axis. A factor of 1 means no exaggeration, while a factor greater than 1 will exaggerate the vertical scale.
3. Multiply the original vertical scale by the exaggeration factor: This will give you the new vertical scale after exaggeration. For example, if the original scale is 1:10,000 and you want a vertical exaggeration of 2, the new scale will be 1:5,000.
By applying vertical exaggeration, you can create visual representations that highlight the variations in elevation and make the terrain look more pronounced, aiding in better visualization and understanding of topographic features. However, it's important to note that these exaggerations alter the true proportions and should be used with caution, as they can potentially misrepresent the actual terrain.