Vertical exaggeration serves a crucial role in terrain visualization by enhancing z-values, thereby allowing for a clearer representation of features on a map. When creating three-dimensional views of terrain, the actual vertical scale can often make certain geographic features difficult to discern due to the limited elevation differences that may exist over large horizontal distances. By applying vertical exaggeration, the elevation or z-values are scaled up relative to the horizontal dimensions, which accentuates the landscape's variations such as hills, valleys, ridges, and benchmarks.
This technique is particularly beneficial in contexts where the terrain is relatively flat or when small hills may not be visually prominent. The exaggerated vertical representation can help convey important information to viewers in a more accessible way, aiding in the understanding of topographic variation and landscape features that may otherwise be overlooked.