ArcGIS Help 10.1 - What is a geostatistical layer?

In ArcMap, geographic data is represented in layers. There are different layer types to represent different data. An ArcMap feature layer may contain polygons representing soil types, points identifying biomass measured at specific locations, or lines representing a network of trails. A raster layer can represent an aerial photograph or a grid of distances from roads. Other layer types include a triangulated irregular network (TIN) layer for three-dimensional surfaces, a computer-aided design (CAD) layer to store CAD map sheets, and a geostatistical layer to store the results of analysis from ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst.

The geostatistical layer is similar to all ArcMap layers. You can add it to ArcMap, remove it, display it, and alter the symbology in countless ways. However, a geostatistical layer differs from other layers by the way it is created and stored. A geostatistical layer can only be created by Geostatistical Analyst. Most ArcMap layer types store the reference to the data source, the symbology for displaying the layer, and other defining characteristics. A geostatistical layer stores the source of the data from which it was created, the symbology, and other defining characteristics, but it also stores the model parameters from the interpolation. From the Properties dialog box for a geostatistical layer, you can view both the original data source and the model parameters.

Not only can you identify the source of the input points and the model parameters, but you can retrieve general information with the General tab, view and alter the layer's map extent with the Extent tab, change the symbology with the Symbology tab, and set the transparency and whether to show MapTips with the Display tab.

Geostatistical layer properties dialog box: Method parameters

Symbolizing the geostatistical layer

A geostatistical layer can be viewed in four different formats: filled contours, contours, grid, or hillshade. You can combine multiple formats in a single display of the layer to achieve various effects. A full range of symbology and controlling parameters exists for each format.