.. _graphics-cross_section:


Cross section plots
===================

This example demonstrates contour plots of a cross-sectioned multi-dimensional cube which features 
a hybrid height vertical coordinate system.



.. plot:: /net/home/h06/ecamp/nounpack_iris/docs/iris/example_code/graphics/cross_section.py

::

    """
    Cross section plots
    ===================
    
    This example demonstrates contour plots of a cross-sectioned multi-dimensional cube which features
    a hybrid height vertical coordinate system.
    
    """
    
    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
    
    import iris
    import iris.quickplot as qplt
    
    
    def main():
        fname = iris.sample_data_path('hybrid_height.nc')
        theta = iris.load_strict(fname)
    
        # Extract a single height vs longitude cross-section. N.B. This could easily be changed to
        # extract a specific slice, or even to loop over *all* cross section slices.
        cross_section = theta.slices(['grid_longitude', 'model_level_number']).next()
    
        qplt.contourf(cross_section, coords=['grid_longitude', 'altitude'])
        plt.show()
    
        # Now do the equivalent plot, only against model level
        plt.figure()
    
        qplt.contourf(cross_section, coords=['grid_longitude', 'model_level_number'])
        plt.show()
    
    
    if __name__ == '__main__':
        main()