What is interpolation in GIS?

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Interpolation in GIS refers to the process of estimating unknown values at specific locations based on known values from surrounding areas. This technique is particularly useful in geographic analysis, where measurements such as temperature, elevation, or pollution levels may be taken at certain points, but we want to understand or predict values in between these points.

For example, if you have temperature readings from a network of weather stations and want to estimate the temperature at a location between them, interpolation methods can calculate that value by analyzing the surrounding data points. Several interpolation methods exist, including linear interpolation, inverse distance weighting, and kriging, each employing different algorithms to estimate these unknown values.

This process is essential in creating continuous surfaces from discrete data points, aiding in various applications such as environmental modeling, resource management, and urban planning, thereby turning sparse data into usable information for analysis and decision-making.