hillshadekuvat

Hillshadekuvat, often translated as hillshade images or shaded relief maps, are a type of topographic map that uses shading to depict the shape of the terrain. They are created by simulating the effect of sunlight falling on the landscape from a specific direction, usually from the northwest. Areas facing the simulated light source are illuminated, appearing lighter, while areas facing away are in shadow, appearing darker. This contrast helps to visually emphasize the undulations, slopes, and features of the land, such as mountains, valleys, and ridges.

The process of creating hillshadekuvat typically involves digital elevation models (DEMs). A DEM provides elevation data for a given area. Algorithms are then applied to this data to calculate the slope and aspect (the direction of the slope) for each point. Based on these calculations and a chosen light source direction and angle, a grayscale image is generated where pixel intensity corresponds to illumination. By combining hillshade with other map elements like contour lines or color-coded elevation, a more comprehensive and easily understandable representation of the terrain can be achieved. Hillshadekuvat are widely used in cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), and environmental studies for visualizing topography and understanding landforms.