Tool Name	Melton Ruggedness Number
Tool ID	23
Library ID	ta_hydrology
Version	1.0
Author(s)	O.Conrad (c) 2012

Description

Melton ruggedness number (MNR) is a simple flow accumulation related index, calculated as difference between maximum and minimum elevation in catchment area divided by square root of catchment area size. The calculation is performed for each grid cell, therefore minimum elevation is same as elevation at cell's position. Due to the discrete character of a single maximum elevation, flow calculation is simply done with Deterministic 8.

References

Marchi, L. & Fontana, G.D. (2005): GIS morphometric indicators for the analysis of sediment dynamics in mountain basins. Environ. Geol. 48:218-228, DOI 10.1007/s00254-005-1292-4.

Melton M.A. (1965): The geomorphic and paleoclimatic significance of alluvial deposits in Southern Arizona. J. Geol. 73:1-38.

O'Callaghan, J.F. & Mark, D.M. (1984): The extraction of drainage networks from digital elevation data. Computer Vision, Graphics and Image Processing, 28:323-344.

Parameters

Name	Type	Identifier
Input
Elevation	grid, input	DEM
Output
Catchment Area	grid, output	AREA
Maximum Height	grid, output	ZMAX
Melton Ruggedness Number	grid, output	MRN