scikit-gstat

name	scikit-gstat
description	Geostatistical analysis with scikit-learn style API. Compute variograms, kriging interpolation, and spatial correlation analysis. Use when Claude needs to: (1) Compute experimental variograms from spatial data, (2) Fit variogram models (spherical, exponential, gaussian, matern), (3) Perform Ordinary or Universal Kriging interpolation, (4) Assess spatial anisotropy with directional variograms, (5) Cross-validate spatial models, (6) Analyze spatio-temporal data, (7) Export variogram parameters for other geostatistical software.
version	1.0.0
author	Geoscience Skills
license	MIT
tags	["Geostatistics","Variogram","Kriging","Scikit-Learn","Spatial Statistics","Scikit-Gstat","Interpolation","Directional Analysis"]
dependencies	["scikit-gstat>=1.0.0","numpy","scipy","scikit-learn"]
complements	["verde","geostatspy"]
workflow_role	analysis

SciKit-GStat - Geostatistics

Quick Reference

import skgstat as skg
import numpy as np

# Create variogram
V = skg.Variogram(coordinates=coords, values=values, n_lags=15)

# Fit model
V.model = 'spherical'
print(f"Range: {V.parameters[0]:.2f}, Sill: {V.parameters[1]:.2f}")

# Kriging interpolation
ok = skg.OrdinaryKriging(V)
predictions = ok.transform(grid_coords)

Key Classes

Class	Purpose
Variogram	Empirical and theoretical variograms
OrdinaryKriging	Interpolation with spatial correlation
DirectionalVariogram	Anisotropic variograms
SpaceTimeVariogram	Spatio-temporal analysis

Essential Operations

Create and Fit Variogram

import skgstat as skg

V = skg.Variogram(
    coordinates=coords,      # (n, 2) array of x, y
    values=values,           # (n,) array of measurements
    n_lags=15,
    maxlag='median'          # or specific distance
)

# Fit model: 'spherical', 'exponential', 'gaussian', 'matern', 'stable'
V.model = 'spherical'

# Get parameters
print(f"Range: {V.parameters[0]:.2f}")
print(f"Sill: {V.parameters[1]:.2f}")
print(f"Nugget: {V.parameters[2]:.2f}")
print(f"RMSE: {V.rmse:.4f}")

Ordinary Kriging

import skgstat as skg
import numpy as np

V = skg.Variogram(coords, values, model='spherical')
ok = skg.OrdinaryKriging(V)

# Create prediction grid
x = np.linspace(0, 100, 50)
y = np.linspace(0, 100, 50)
xx, yy = np.meshgrid(x, y)
grid_coords = np.column_stack([xx.ravel(), yy.ravel()])

# Predict
predictions = ok.transform(grid_coords)
Z = predictions.reshape(xx.shape)

# Get variance
ok.return_variance = True
predictions, variance = ok.transform(grid_coords)

Directional Variogram

import skgstat as skg

DV = skg.DirectionalVariogram(
    coordinates=coords,
    values=values,
    azimuth=45,          # Direction in degrees
    tolerance=22.5,      # Angular tolerance
    bandwidth='q33'      # Perpendicular bandwidth
)

# Check anisotropy
for az in [0, 45, 90, 135]:
    DV.azimuth = az
    print(f"Azimuth {az}: Range = {DV.parameters[0]:.2f}")

Cross-Validation

import skgstat as skg
from sklearn.model_selection import cross_val_score

V = skg.Variogram(coords, values, model='spherical')
ok = skg.OrdinaryKriging(V)

scores = cross_val_score(ok, coords, values, cv=5, scoring='neg_mean_squared_error')
print(f"CV RMSE: {np.sqrt(-scores.mean()):.4f}")

Robust Estimators

import skgstat as skg

# Use robust estimator for noisy data
V = skg.Variogram(
    coords, values,
    estimator='cressie'  # 'matheron', 'cressie', 'dowd', 'genton'
)

Quick Model Reference

Model	Behavior
spherical	Most common, linear near origin
exponential	Never reaches sill, gradual approach
gaussian	Parabolic near origin, smooth
matern	Flexible smoothness control

When to Use vs Alternatives

Use Case	Tool	Why
Variogram analysis + kriging	scikit-gstat	Modern API, sklearn-compatible
GSLIB-style simulation (SGSIM)	GeostatsPy	Full GSLIB simulation engine
Kriging with trend/drift	pykrige	Universal kriging, regression kriging
Random field generation	gstools	Flexible covariance, SRF generation
Spatio-temporal variograms	scikit-gstat	Built-in SpaceTimeVariogram
Production geomodelling	SGeMS / Petrel	GUI, large-scale 3D models
Robust variogram estimation	scikit-gstat	Cressie, Dowd, Genton estimators
ML pipeline integration	scikit-gstat	sklearn fit/transform interface

Choose scikit-gstat when: You want a Pythonic, scikit-learn-compatible API for variogram fitting and kriging. Best for exploratory geostatistical analysis with cross-validation and integration into ML pipelines.

Choose GeostatsPy when: You need GSLIB-compatible simulation workflows (SGSIM, SISIM) or are working with traditional geostatistical conventions.

Choose pykrige when: You need universal kriging with external drift variables or regression kriging combining geostatistics with machine learning predictions.

Common Workflows

Variogram Fitting and Ordinary Kriging

• Load spatial data as numpy arrays (coordinates and values)
• Create Variogram object with appropriate n_lags and maxlag
• Test estimators: matheron (default) vs cressie (robust) for noisy data
• Fit multiple models (spherical, exponential, gaussian) and compare RMSE
• Check anisotropy with DirectionalVariogram at 0, 45, 90, 135 degrees
• Select best model based on RMSE and visual fit
• Create OrdinaryKriging object from fitted variogram
• Define prediction grid and run ok.transform(grid_coords)
• Set ok.return_variance = True to get kriging variance
• Cross-validate with cross_val_score() to assess prediction quality
• Map predictions and kriging variance

Common Issues

Issue	Solution
Variogram flat or erratic	Adjust n_lags and maxlag (try maxlag='median')
Poor model fit (high RMSE)	Try different model types or nested structures
Kriging too slow	Reduce number of conditioning points or grid resolution
Nugget too large	May indicate measurement error; try robust estimators
Anisotropy unclear	Use smaller angular tolerance in DirectionalVariogram

Tips

1. Maxlag should be ~50% of study area diagonal
2. Use robust estimators (cressie, dowd) with noisy data
3. Test multiple models and compare RMSE
4. Check anisotropy with directional variograms before kriging

References

• Variogram Models - Model equations and parameters
• Kriging Methods - Kriging types and configuration

Scripts

• scripts/variogram_analysis.py - Complete variogram analysis workflow