ASSESSMENT OF USING ARC GIS TO DETERMINE SOME LANDFORMS IN AL-SALMAN DEPRESSION/SOUTH IRAQ

The study area lies south west to Al- Muthanna governorate; it is about 140 km away from the governorate center. The study area is about 1296 km^2, between longitudes 44° 24` – 44° 41` Easting, Latitude 30° 18` – 30° 44` Northing. Space data used in this research is Landsat 7 images by the sensors ETMÑ 2000 beside the DEM image product by Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM. Using the present technique we can recognize the landforms in the area depending on characteristics in Arc GIS program and the ability in the program, as well as, accuracy of the program which become simulating with features in field. The sketch technique was done by using DEM image associated with tools box in Arc GIS program. In order to increase the accuracy of the results we used the Hill Shade method and adding some orders like Aspect and Sink. From this technique we conclude that Hill shade method enables us to recognized depressions, structural plains, and pediments. an‎d from Aspect we can recognize the slope direction while the Sink order we can recognized the sinkholes in the study area.