Modeling rainfall features dynamics in a DEM satellite image with cellular automata

Abstract

Cellular automata have been widely used in the field of remote sensing for simulating natural phenomena over two-dimensional satellite images. Simulations on DEM (Digital Elevation Model), threedimensional satellite images, are very rare. This paper presents a study of modeling and simulation of the weather phenomenon of precipitation over DEM satellite images through a new algorithm, RACA (RAinfall with Cellular Automata). The aim of RACA is to obtain, from the simulation, numerical and 3D results related to the water level that allow us to make decisions on important issues such as avoiding the destruction of human life and property from future natural disasters, establishing future urbanized areas away from locations with high probability of flooding or estimating the future water supply for arid regions.