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HYPSOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

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Overview https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.10788.85126 This map examined the hypsometric characteristics and spatial distribution of water bodies, and settlements in the Northern Region of Ghana using a GIS geospatial analysis. The analysis demonstrates that elevation varies across the study area and the landscape contains relatively low-lying surfaces, intermediate elevation zones, and locally elevated terrain. The five elevation classes provide a useful basis for distinguishing these variations, while the four cross-sectional profiles reveal changes in elevation along selected transects. The lowest class, at or below 93 metres, identifies the lowest mapped terrain, while the class exceeding 153 metres represents the highest elevation category shown. The intermediate classes distinguish gradual transitions between these elevation ranges. The distribution of colours indicates that elevation is not uniform throughout the study area. Relatively low-lying surfaces occur alongside more eleva...
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INTEGRATING NDVI, NDMI, NDWI, AND LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF VOLTA LAKE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS: A LANDSAT 8-9 BASED SPATIAL ANALYSIS

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  Abstract https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.10571.35365 This study assesses the spatial distribution of vegetation health, moisture content, surface water, and land surface temperature around and beyond the Volta Lake of Ghana. The study area stretches 88.704 km to the West, bordering the Bono East and Eastern Regions, and 94.271 km to the East, bordering the Oti and Volta Regions. Due to the vast extent of the Volta Lake, the study area covers parts of the Eastern, Northern, Volta, Oti, and Bono East Regions. The study area covers approximately 36,528.654 sq km. Landsat 8/9 collection 2 Level -2 data acquired on the 21 of April 2025 were downloaded from the United State Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Explorer website. Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were used for spatial analysis, which was processed in QGIS 3.44.1. The objective of this study was to integrate the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Moisture Index (...
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Spatial patterns of aridity and vegetation in West Africa

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      Source: Sanusi, A. (2026) The map presents West Africa with clear contrasts in relief, vegetation cover, and climatic zones. Two major ecological belts dominate the region; a humid vegetated zone along the southern coast and a semi-arid to arid zone toward the north. These belts broadly follow a south-north gradient controlled by rainfall, temperature, and distance from the Atlantic Ocean. Regional spatial pattern Southern West Africa, especially the coastal and forest belt, is shown in green. This zone extends from Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea through Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and southern Nigeria. It reflects high rainfall, dense forests, wetlands, and productive agricultural land. In contrast, the northern part of the region transitions into yellow and light brown tones, indicating semi-arid conditions. This Sahelian belt stretches from Mauritania and Mali through Burkina Faso and Niger, with limited vegeta...
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PREDICTION AND PROJECTION OF MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE DYNAMICS ACROSS CONTINENTS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR GHANA UNDER SSP5-8.5 2081-2100

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  Read full article: 1. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.26786.49608 Abstract Understanding future temperature patterns is central to global climate research and national adaptation planning. This study examines projected global maximum temperatures for the late twenty-first century 2081-2100, focusing on the months of June and December, two periods representing opposite seasons across hemispheres. Using gridded climate projections from the WorldClim CMIP6 dataset, the analysis applies geographic information system (GIS) techniques within QGIS to visualise and interpret spatial differences in projected warming. The dataset was derived from the SSP5-8.5 scenario, a high-emissions pathway associated with strong warming, using the ACCESS-CM2 global climate model at a spatial resolution of 10 minutes. The five maps constructed from the GeoTIFF files reveal distinct seasonal patterns, with June showing extreme heat across the Northern Hemisphere especially Africa, Asia, and parts of Nort...
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ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL FLOOD VULNERABILITY USING RASTER-BASED MODELLING IN QGIS UNDER SEA LEVEL RISE AND STORM SURGE SCENARIOS: A CASE STUDY OF KETA MUNICIPAL DISTRICT, GHANA

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  Read full article:  https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12170.32965 Abstract Coastal flooding is a major threat to low-lying areas, especially in delta regions and lagoons. This study uses a raster-based flood simulation method in QGIS to evaluate potential flooding patterns due to rising sea levels and storm surges, specifically looking at a 3 m storm surge scenario. The research focuses on the Keta Municipal District and its immediate coastal communities, which are highly vulnerable to flooding because of their low elevation and closeness to the coast. Raster analysis techniques were employed to simulate flood extents for sea level rises of 4 m, 5 m, and 6 m. Boolean raster operations and map algebra were used in mapping inundated areas for each scenario. To make the simulation realistic, 3 m storm surge was run in conjunction with the three sea level rise scenarios ; 4 m, 5 m and 6 m to reflect extreme coastal flood rather than just gradual sea level rise. The results show a ...
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SPATIAL AND SEASONAL VARIATION IN PROJECTED GLOBAL TEMPERATURES UNDER SSP5-8.5 (2081-2100)

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  SPATIAL AND SEASONAL VARIATION IN PROJECTED GLOBAL TEMPERATURES UNDER SSP5-8.5 (2081-2100)   The maps above show projected global maximum temperatures for June and December in the late 21st  century period from 2081 to 2100. It uses downscaled CMIP6 climate simulations from WorldClim  at a ten minute  spatial resolution in GeoTIFF  format under the high emissions of Shared Socioeconomic Pathway SSP5-8.5. The maps show strong warming patterns that vary across continents and seasons. Many areas, especially in subtropics and mid latitudes, will face extreme  high temperatures . June conditions turn particularly intense in the Northern Hemisphere. December projections also  indicate  notable warming with clear contrasts between hemispheres. These patterns show how seasonality and land ocean dynamics influence future warming.    Map 1 June Maximum Temperatures    The June map displays pronounced warming over  a...
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Geospatial analysis: spatial structure and environmental setting of Central Makkah-Saudi Arabia, a satellite-based assessment

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  The map above shows a detailed satellite-based assessment of central Makkah, with particular focus on the urban core surrounding the Sacred Mosque. The annotated features illustrate the spatial arrangement of public services, natural elements, and key infrastructures. The area displayed is highly built-up, marked by dense construction, a complex network of roads, and multiple service facilities such as hospitals, schools, police stations, and transport nodes. Distinct symbols highlight trees, peaks, parking areas, and various public institutions, offering a clear view of how urban functions are distributed around the city’s central religious site. Makkah’s religious importance defines much of the spatial pattern visible here. The urban fabric becomes increasingly concentrated toward the center, where the holiest site in Islam is located. This concentration shapes the flow of movement, leading to the development of major roadways, pedestrian routes, transport stations, and support...
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Satellite imagery analysis: Historical and geographical context of Elmina Castle and its surroundings

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  Historical and geographical context of Elmina Castle and its surroundings. Analysis of the map above The map presents an aerial view of Elmina, a coastal town in southern Ghana, with a focus on the Elmina castle and its immediate surroundings. The map combines satellite imagery with mapped outlines of key features. The coastline is highlighted in a soft pink shade, marking the natural edge of the land. The Atlantic Ocean is identified in blue, occupying the right and lower areas of the frame. The castle is enclosed with a red outline, showing its compact but prominent position at the meeting point of land and sea. The urban area appears dense, with tightly packed buildings and narrow street networks. This pattern suggests a long-established settlement where structures have developed organically over time. The harbor area, seen as a small inlet filled with canoes, reveals the continued significance of small-scale fishing. The map’s orientation, supported by the north symbol in the...
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MOUNT AFADJA, MOUNT ADUADU AND THEIR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITIES

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  The map depicts a satellite view of the Mount Afadja, Mount Aduadu  and the nearby settlements of Gblede and Liati Wote. It combines imagery with cartographic elements such as  roads, buildings, and the two mountain summits. Mount Afadja (Afadjato) has a summit of 587 m above sea level and Mount Aduadu 746 m respectively. Mount Afadjato is often cited at 885 meters above sea level but in reality is only 587 m. Mount Afadja, known as Afadjato to the Ewe people of Ghana is one of the highest mountains in Ghana. The summit is located in the Volta Region of Ghana, near the border with Togo, close to the villages of Liati Wote and Gblede Gbogame in the Afadjato South District and Hohoe Municipality. General Description of the Map The map above shows a forested terrain with two marked peaks; Mount Afadja and Mount Aduadu. Two settlements appear along the road corridor. One near the southern edge of the map and another north of it. The road connecting these settlements runs ro...
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SATELLITE IMAGERY & MULTISPECTRAL IMAGERY ANALYSIS: A CASE STUDY OF VOLTA LAKE OF GHANA

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The satellite imagery of Volta lake presents an original grayscale scene from Landsat 8 and Landsat 9, specifically using Band 1. This band captures data in the coastal and aerosol range of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is sensitive to fine particles and surface reflectance differences, which explains the strong contrast seen between bright and dark areas. The tonal variation suggests differences in land cover, moisture, and possibly suspended particles near the river. The map includes clear geographic coordinates, a small locator map of Ghana, and a legend showing reflectance values ranging from 70 to 958. This indicates that the dataset was not only radiometrically calibrated but also visualised to highlight fine variations in surface characteristics. It is a raw depiction of reflectance patterns without spectral enhancement. The second map shows a processed multispectral analysis of the same region of the Volta River basin. Unlike the grayscale map, this map uses colour to repres...
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