1. A computer-implemented method for computing ridges and valleys of a height field, the method comprising: receiving, by a computing platform, a plurality of sample points associated with a dataset and an indication of an orientation for referencing the plurality of sample points; applying, by the computing platform, an interpolation function to the plurality of sample points to determine the height field; selecting, by the computing platform, a plurality of seed points associated with the height field; calculating, by the computing platform, a Hessian matrix of the height field; and using, by the computing platform, the Hessian matrix to trace (a) one or more ridge curves associated with the height field and (b) one or more valley curves associated with the height field using the plurality of seed points, wherein the computing platform uses the Hessian matrix to trace the one or more ridge curves and the one or more valley curves in parallel and each ridge curve and each valley curve is traced in a distinct kernel executed by the computing platform.