The ArcGIS version of the geomorphological mapping

legend of the University of Lausanne

MAILLARD Benoît1, LAMBIEL Christophe1, MARTIN Simon1, PELLITERO ONDICOL
Ramon2, REYNARD Emmanuel1, SCHOENEICH Philippe3
1
Institute of Geography, University of Lausanne
2
Department of Geography, University of Valladolid
3
Institute of Alpine Geography, University of Grenoble

Principles of the legend

The geomorphological mapping legend of the University of Lausanne is a morphogenetic mapping
system (Schoeneich, 1993; Schoeneich et al., 1998). It has been used for more than 20 years for
detailed mapping especially in high and middle mountain regions (Schoeneich et al., 1998; Pellitero
Ondicol, 2009).

After an analysis of existing legend systems (Schoeneich, 1993), the legend was proposed with the
following principles:
- morphography, slopes and lithology are not represented;
- colour code is taken from the German system (Leser and Stäblein, 1980): colors represent
process categories;
- signatures are inspired from the French system (Tricart, 1972): they have genetic significance
and are drawn in the colour of the related process;
- morphodynamic differentiation of erosion and accumulation areas is achieved by white and
coloured surfaces respectively.

The ArcGIS extension

The legend was developed first for mapping by hand with colour pencils in the field. In the 1990s,
several attempts were made for developing computer-assisted maps, especially by using Adobe
Illustrator software (see examples in Schoeneich, 1998). A first GIS version (Pierrehumbert, 1998)
was developed but was not successful because of poor graphical performance of GIS at that time.

This new version (IGUL 1.0) was developed in ArcGIS 10.0. It consists in a geodatabase containing
three files, respectively for points, lines and surfaces. Specific symbols were developed using the
Representation tool in ArcGIS 10.0. For some landforms (e.g. alluvial fans, rockglaciers, deltas), it was
necessary to combine two or three point, line or surface symbols.

References
Leser H., Stäblein G. (1980). Legende der Geomorphologischen Karte 1:25.000 (GMK 25). 3.
Fassung im GMK-Schwerpunktprogramm. In Barsch D., Liedtke H. (eds.). Methoden und
Anwendbarkeit geomorphologischer Detailkarten. Berliner Geogr. Abhandlungen, 31, 91-100.
Pellitero Ondicol R. (2009). Application of an alpine geomorphological mapping system to an atlantic
mountain environment: The Curavacas Massif (Cantabrian Range, Northwest Spain). Journal of
Maps, 2009, 194-205.
Pierrehumbert G. (1998). L'informatique en cartographie géomorphologique. La région du Schilthorn
(Oberland bernois, Suisse). Université de Lausanne, mémoire de licence (non publié).
Schoeneich P. (1993). Comparaison des systèmes de légendes français, allemand et Suisse –
Principes de la légende IGUL. In Schoeneich P., Reynard E. (eds). Cartographie
géomorphologiques, cartographie des risques. Lausanne, Institut de Géographie, Travaux et
Recherches, 9, 15-24.
Schoeneich P. (1998). Le retrait glaciaire dans les vallées des Ormonts, de l’Hongrin et de l’Etivaz
(Préalpes vaudoises). Lausanne, Institut de Géographie, Travaux et Recherches, 14, 483 p.
Schoeneich P., Reynard E., Pierrehumbert G. (1998). Geomorphological mapping in the Swiss Alps
and Prealps. In Kriz K. (eds). Hochgebirgskartographie Silvretta ’98. Wiener Schriften zur
Geographie und Kartographie, 11, 145-153.
Tricart J. (1972). Normes pour l’établissement de la carte géomorphologique détaillée de la France :
classification codée, critères d’identification et légende pratique (1:20.000, 1:25.000, 1:50.000).
In Cartographie géomorphologique. Mémoires et documents CNRS, 12, 37-105.

Lausanne, June 2011