Final answer:
The result of applying a zonal maximum operator is the creation of a raster where each cell within a zone contains the maximum value found in that zone, which is used in various GIS applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
When applying a zonal maximum operator within the context of geographic information systems (GIS), the result is a new raster where each cell contains the maximum value found within a specified zone of an input raster. It is a spatial analysis technique, typically used in processing rasters related to various fields, such as environmental studies, urban planning, or climatology. This operator compares all cells in the zones defined by the 'zone' raster and calculates the maximum value of the 'value' raster within each of these zones.
Considering the reference information provided, the bands referred to might be a result of some spatial analysis leading to distinct ranges of values. After applying the zonal maximum operator, these bands will not spread farther from the first maximum, meaning they will not cover a wider range of values. Instead, they could potentially come closer to the first maximum if the maximum values in adjacent zones happen to be less than or equal to the first maxima observed.