NAME

     blockmedian - filter to block average  (x,y,z)  data  by  L1
     norm.


SYNOPSIS

     blockmedian [ xyz[w]file(s) ]  - Ix_inc[m|c][/y_inc[m|c]]  -
     Rwest/east/south/north[r]  [ -H ] [ -N ] [ -V ] [ -W[io] ] [
     -: ] [ -b[i|o][d] ]


DESCRIPTION

     blockmedian reads arbitrarily located  (x,y,z)  triples  [or
     optionally  weighted  quadruples  (x,y,z,w)]  from  standard
     input [or xyz[w]file(s)] and writes  to  standard  output  a
     median  position  and  value  for every non-empty block in a
     grid region defined by the -R  and  - I  arguments.   Either
     blockmean  or  blockmedian should be used as a pre-processor
     before running surface to avoid aliasing short  wavelengths.
     These  routines are also  generally useful for decimating or
     averaging (x,y,z) data.  You can modify the precision of the
     output  format  by  editing  the  D_FORMAT parameter in your
     .gmtdefaults file, or you may  choose  binary  input  and/or
     output using single or double precision storage.

     xyz[w]file(s)
          3 [or 4] column ASCII file(s) [or binary, see -b] hold-
          ing (x,y,z[,w]) data values.  [w] is an optional weight
          for the data.  If no  file  is  specified,  blockmedian
          will read from standard input.

     -I    x_inc [and optionally  y_inc]  is  the  grid  spacing.
          Append m to indicate minutes or c to indicate seconds.

     -R    west, east, south, and north  specify  the  Region  of
          interest.  To specify boundaries in degrees and minutes
          [and seconds], use the dd:mm[:ss] format.  Append r  if
          lower  left  and  upper right map coordinates are given
          instead of wesn.


OPTIONS

     -H    Input file(s) has Header record(s).  Number of  header
          records  can  be  changed  by editing your .gmtdefaults
          file.  If used, GMT default is 1  header  record.   Not
          used with binary data.

     -N    Offsets the grid registration of the boxes.  Use pixel
          registration instead of grid registration.  By default,
          the centers of the blocks  coincide  with  the  defined
          lattice  nodes;  each block contains all points nearest
          to a lattice node.  The  - N  option  will  offset  the
          blocks  so their edges coincide with the lattice lines.
          For example, suppose the arguments  are  - R10/15/10/15
          and  - I1   This defines a 6 x 6 block array; the lower
          left block will average data  within  9.5  <=  (x,y)  <
          10.5.  If the same lattice is given with the -N option,
          the block array is 5 x 5 and the lower left block  will
          average  the data within 10 <= (x,y) < 11.  The default
          registration is normally  used  for  preprocessing  and
          gridding map data.

     -V    Selects verbose mode, which will send progress reports
          to stderr [Default runs "silently"].

     -W    Weighted modifier[s].  Unweighted input and output has
          3  columns  x,y,z;  Weighted i/o has 4 columns x,y,z,w.
          Weights can be used  in  input  to  construct  weighted
          median  values  in blocks.  Weight sums can be reported
          in output for later combining several runs, etc.  Use -
          W  for  weighted  i/o, -Wi for weighted input only, -Wo
          for weighted output  only.   [Default  uses  unweighted
          i/o]

       -   :    Toggles    between    (longitude,latitude)    and
          (latitude,longitude)    input/output.     [Default   is
          (longitude,latitude)]

     -b    Selects binary input and output mode.  Append i  or  o
          to select single precision binary input or output only.
          [Default is ASCII].  Append d to indicate double preci-
          sion  for  binary data (if both binary input and output
          are selected they will have the same precision).


EXAMPLES

     To find 5 by 5 minute block medians from the  double  preci-
     sion  binary data in hawaii_b.xyg and output an ASCII table,
     try

     blockmedian  hawaii_b.xyg  - R198/208/18/25  - I5m  - bid  >
     hawaii_5x5.xyg


SEE ALSO

     blockmean, gmt, gmtdefaults, nearneighbor, surface, triangu-
     late


REFERENCES

     Wessel, P., and W. H. F. Smith, 1995,  The  Generic  Mapping
     Tools  (GMT)  version  3.0  Technical  Reference & Cookbook,
     SOEST/NOAA.
     Wessel, P., and W. H. F. Smith, 1995,  New  Version  of  the
     Generic Mapping Tools Released, EOS Trans. AGU, 76, p. 329.
     Wessel, P., and W. H. F. Smith, 1995,  New  Version  of  the
     Generic           Mapping           Tools          Released,
     http://www.agu.org/eos_elec/95154e.html, Copyright  1995  by
     the American Geophysical Union.
     Wessel, P., and W. H. F. Smith, 1991,  Free  Software  Helps
     Map and Display Data, EOS Trans. AGU, 72, p. 441.