Terrain visibility analysis
Can you see Puy de Dôme from Clermont-Ferrand?
This short-distance example examines how local volcanic terrain forms the horizon between Clermont-Ferrand and Puy de Dôme.
Short answer: Yes. From the studied point in Clermont-Ferrand, the 1,465 m summit clears the modelled terrain horizon across a 9.6 km sight line.
This page explains a reproducible Sightelo case. The result is recalculated on demand with the available elevation data; it is not a guaranteed real-world observation.
Open and recalculate this analysisPoints and assumptions
- Observation point
- Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Point of interest
- Puy de Dôme, France
- Geodesic distance
- 9.6 km
- Initial bearing
- 266.8° (west)
- Refraction
- Standard (k = 0.13)
Terrain profile and line of sight
Detailed profile
Scroll horizontally to explore the full profile on a small screen.
- Calculated terrain
- Observer–summit sight line
- Minimum visibility line
- 0 m reference (modelled curvature)
At the summit, the target clears the modelled horizon by 282.4 m. No blocking terrain is calculated. The relief forming the horizon is 3.934 km from A.
The calculation models terrain, Earth curvature and standard atmospheric refraction. It does not model buildings, trees, clouds, haze or local atmospheric variations.
Calculated profile values
| Distance (km) | 9.6 km |
|---|---|
| Observer eye altitude | 414.9 m |
| Summit altitude | 1465.0 m |
| Minimum visible target altitude | 1182.6 m |
| Target margin above the modelled horizon | +282.4 m |
| Minimum local sight-line clearance | +42.3 m |
| Displayed / calculated samples | 193 / 193 |
| Excluded around A / B | 200 m / 1000 m |
| Horizon-forming relief | 3.9344 km |
Audited calculation: 2026-10-16. The interactive calculator can recalculate with currently available elevation data.
What does the Puy de Dôme from Clermont-Ferrand analysis show?
The profile tests whether nearby terrain cuts the line towards the summit. On this short route, the shape of local terrain matters more to the result than Earth curvature.
How far is Clermont-Ferrand from Puy de Dôme?
The published coordinates are 9.6 km apart geodesically. The summit elevation in the analysis parameters is 1,465 m.
Why does the observation point matter?
At this scale, moving within the city or changing height can alter the nearby horizon. Buildings and trees are not included in the model and must be checked on site.
How does Sightelo calculate this volcanic profile?
The service samples elevations between the two points and compares the terrain with the sight line. Curvature correction and standard refraction remain enabled, although their effect is smaller over 9.6 km.