Testing Linear Regressions by StatsModel Library of Python for Oceanological Data Interpretation

Year 2019, Volume: 34 Issue: 2, 51 - 60, 28.06.2019

Polina Lemenkova

https://doi.org/10.26650/ASE2019547010

Abstract

The study area is focused on the Mariana Trench, west Pacific Ocean. The research aim is to investigate correlation between various factors, such as bathymetric depths, geomorphic shape, geographic location on four tectonic plates of the sampling points along the trench, and their influence on the geologic sediment thickness. Technically, the advantages of applying Python programming language for oceanographic data sets were tested. The methodological approaches include GIS data collecting, data analysis, statistical modelling, plotting and visualizing. Statistical methods include several algorithms that were tested: 1) weighted least square linear regression between geological variables, 2) autocorrelation; 3) design matrix, 4) ordinary least square regression, 5) quantile regression. The spatial and statistical analysis of the correlation of these factors aimed at the understanding, which geological and geodetic factors affect the distribution of the steepness and shape of the trench. Following factors were analysed: geology (sediment thickness), geographic location of the trench on four tectonics plates: Philippines, Pacific, Mariana and Caroline and bathymetry along the profiles: maximal and mean, minimal values, as well as the statistical calculations of the 1st and 3rd quantiles. The study revealed correlations between the sediment thickness and distinct variations of the trench geomorphology and sampling locations across various segments along the crescent of the trench.

Keywords

Programming language, Python, Statistical analysis, Pacific Ocean, Hadal trenches, Mariana Trench, oceanology, marine geology

Supporting Institution

This research was funded by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), State Oceanic Administration (SOA), Marine Scholarship of China, Grant Nr. 2016SOA002, Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

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