Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 3-2.
The civilian U.S. National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale levels (0-9) and examples of
interpretation tasks. Levels based on Leachtenauer, Daniel and Vogl (1997); scale/resolution categories correspond
approximately with Table 3-1.
Rating level
Scale/resolution
Interpretation tasks
0
-
Interpretability precluded by obscuration, degradation, or poor resolution
1
MACRO
Distinguish between major land-use classes
-
urban, agricultural, forest,
etc.
Detect medium-sized port facility
Distinguish between runways and taxiways at a large airport
Identify regional drainage patterns
-
dendritic, trellis, etc.
2
Identify large (800 m diameter) center-pivot irrigated fi elds
Detect large buildings
-
hospital, factory, etc.
Identify road pattern
-
highway interchange, road network, etc.
Detect ice-breaker tracks in sea ice; detect wake of large (100 m) ship
3
Detect individual houses in residential neighborhoods
Detect trains or strings of railroad cars on tracks
Identify inland waterways navigable by barges
Distinguish between natural forest and orchards
4
MESO
Identify farm buildings as barns, silos, or residences
Count tracks along railroad right-of-way or in train yards
Detect basketball court, tennis court, volleyball court in urban area
Detect jeep trails through grassland
5
Recognize individual train cars by type
-
box, fl at, tank, etc.
Identify large tents within camping areas
Distinguish between deciduous and coniferous forest during leaf-off season
Detect large animals (elephant, rhinoceros, bison) in grassland
6
Distinguish between row crops and small grains
Identify passenger vehicles as sedans, station wagons, etc.
Identify individual utility poles in residential neighborhoods
Detect foot trails in barren areas
7
MICRO
Identify individual mature plants in a fi eld of known row crops
Recognize individual railroad ties
Detect individual steps on stairways
Detect stumps and rocks in forest clearings or wet meadows
8
Count individual baby farm animals
-
pigs, sheep, etc.
Identify a survey benchmark set in a paved surface
Recognize individual pine seedlings or individual water lilies on a pond
Detect individual bricks in a building
9
Identify individual seed heads on grain crop
-
wheat, oats, barley, etc.
Recognize individual barbs on a barbed-wire fence
Detect individual spikes in railroad ties
Identify individual leaves on a tree
