Available with Spatial Analyst license.
Summary
Interpolates a raster surface from points using kriging.
Usage
Kriging is a processor-intensive process. The speed of execution is dependent on the number of points in the input dataset and the size of the search window.
Low values within the optional output variance of prediction raster indicate a high degree of confidence in the predicted value. High values may indicate a need for more data points.
The Universal kriging types assume that there is a structural component present and that the local trend varies from one location to another.
The Advanced Parameters allow control of the semivariogram used for kriging. A default value for Lag size is initially set to the default output cell size. For Major range, Partial sill, and Nugget, a default value will be calculated internally if nothing is specified.
The optional output variance of prediction raster contains the kriging variance at each output raster cell. Assuming the kriging errors are normally distributed, there is a 95.5 percent probability that the actual z-value at the cell is the predicted raster value, plus or minus two times the square root of the value in the variance raster.
Some input datasets may have several points with the same x,y coordinates. If the values of the points at the common location are the same, they are considered duplicates and have no effect on the output. If the values are different, they are considered coincident points.
The various interpolation tools may handle this data condition differently. For example, in some cases, the first coincident point encountered is used for the calculation; in other cases, the last point encountered is used. This may cause some locations in the output raster to have different values than what you might expect. The solution is to prepare your data by removing these coincident points. The Collect Events tool in the Spatial Statistics toolbox is useful for identifying any coincident points in your data.
See Analysis environments and Spatial Analyst for additional details on the geoprocessing environments that apply to this tool.
Syntax
Kriging (in_point_features, z_field, semiVariogram_props, {cell_size}, {search_radius}, {out_variance_prediction_raster})| Parameter | Explanation | Data Type |
in_point_features | The input point features containing the z-values to be interpolated into a surface raster. | Feature Layer |
z_field | The field that holds a height or magnitude value for each point. This can be a numeric field or the Shape field if the input point features contain z-values. | Field |
semiVariogram_props kriging_model | The KrigingModel class defines which kriging model is to be used. There are two types of kriging classes. The KrigingModelOrdinary method has five types of semivariograms available. The KrigingModelUniversal method has two types of semivariograms available.
| KrigingModel |
cell_size (Optional) | The cell size at which the output raster will be created. This will be the value in the environment if it is explicitly set; otherwise, it is the shorter of the width or the height of the extent of the input point features, in the input spatial reference, divided by 250. | Analysis Cell Size |
search_radius (Optional) |
The Radius class defines which of the input points will be used to interpolate the value for each cell in the output raster. There are two types of radius classes: RadiusVariable and RadiusFixed. A Variable search radius is used to find a specified number of input sample points for the interpolation. The Fixed type uses a specified fixed distance within which all input points will be used for the interpolation. The Variable type is the default.
| Radius |
out_variance_prediction_raster (Optional) | Optional output raster where each cell contains the predicted variance values for that location. | Raster Dataset |
Return Value
| Name | Explanation | Data Type |
| out_surface_raster | The output interpolated surface raster. It is always a floating-point raster. | Raster |
Code sample
Kriging example 1 (Python window)
This example inputs a point shapefile and interpolates the output surface as a Grid raster.
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
from arcpy.sa import *
env.workspace = "C:/sapyexamples/data"
outKrig = Kriging("ozone_pts.shp", "OZONE", KrigingModelOrdinary("CIRCULAR", 2000, 2.6, 542, 0), 2000, RadiusFixed(20000, 1))
outKrig.save("c:/sapyexamples/output/krigout")
Kriging example 2 (stand-alone script)
This example inputs a point shapefile and interpolates the output surface as a Grid raster.
# Name: Kriging_Ex_02.py
# Description: Interpolates a surface from points using kriging.
# Requirements: Spatial Analyst Extension
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
from arcpy.sa import *
# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/sapyexamples/data"
# Set local variables
inFeatures = "ca_ozone_pts.shp"
field = "OZONE"
cellSize = 2000
outVarRaster = "C:/sapyexamples/output/outvariance"
lagSize = 2000
majorRange = 2.6
partialSill = 542
nugget = 0
# Set complex variables
kModelOrdinary = KrigingModelOrdinary("CIRCULAR", lagSize,
majorRange, partialSill, nugget)
kRadius = RadiusFixed(20000, 1)
# Check out the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension license
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("Spatial")
# Execute Kriging
outKriging = Kriging(inFeatures, field, kModelOrdinary, cellSize,
kRadius, outVarRaster)
# Save the output
outKriging.save("C:/sapyexamples/output/krigoutput02")
Environments
Licensing information
- ArcGIS Desktop Basic: Requires Spatial Analyst or 3D Analyst
- ArcGIS Desktop Standard: Requires Spatial Analyst or 3D Analyst
- ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Requires Spatial Analyst or 3D Analyst