The Spatio-Temporal Data Model fo 3-D Spatial Process Simulation

Current Geographic Information System ( GIS) software does not support the manipulation of multi-dimensional spatio-temporal data, therefore it is difficult to deal with the geographic phenomena with spatio-temporal multi-dimensions. Spatial process simulation is the main way to study the geographic phenomena. In this paper, a discussion is conducted about the mathematical model of spatial process simulation, the characteristics of spatial process simulation models, and the shortcomings of the present GIS data models. A method using the sequent snapshot approach and the temporal parametric model to support spatial process simulation is put forward, and a practical example is analyzed with combination of seismic dynamic process simulation.