For this lab I got to explore different interpolation methods to create surfaces that show BOD concentrations across Tampa Bay. Each method had its own way of handling the same dataset, and it really showed me how much the choice of technique changes the final map. Thiessen was the most basic because it just divided the bay into zones around each sample point. It’s quick and easy to make, but it doesn’t show gradual changes and looks really blocky. IDW was better at spreading values between points, but it still gave off bullseye patterns around the samples, which can distract from the overall trend. Spline produced the smoothest surface, and once I fixed the distortions by adding extra control points, it gave the most natural looking map of water quality patterns across the bay.
Overall, this lab made me realize that interpolation is not a one-size-fits-all tool. You have to think about your dataset and your goals before deciding which method makes sense. For Tampa Bay, I felt like spline gave the most useful visualization because it balanced local detail with a clear overall view.
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