Mapping Technology

Mapping technology has benefited greatly from the rise of computers. Traditionally maps were composed using a great deal of ink, elbow grease, and of course imagination. Contemporary maps are much easier to make because the hard work has been done for us, we don't need to figure out a system like longitude/latitude or UTM to accurately plot random locations on the planet. We don't even require much map making knowledge or skill to produce a map a computer will gladly accommodate. This weeks blog takes a look at applications for maps that entail more then a hike to the summit. Maps that save lives by help humans better understand their environment. After all, is not a map a Homosapien's representation of time and space? Today's mapping technology has many applications and one of the most current is known as LandScan http://www.ornl.gov/sci/landscan/and was used to help rescuers determine the location of the 2004 tsunami survivors. LandScan was developed by the United States military and is attributed to saving thousands of lives when natural disasters occur. You can find a great NPR article at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4250296 that provides better detail regarding this type of mapping technology.
One of the latest trends in mapping technology involves mobile mapping. http://holtz.org/Library/Mobile/Maps/ One common example of a mobile mapping technology is used by Google Earth, a popular user friendly mapping technology that combines traditional mapping methods with modern contemporary computer technology. Mobile mapping technology such as Google Earth can be installed in a cellphone, PDA, Laptop, and Ipod and offers users instant access to all types of maps such as road atlases. Each of these devices have the potential to utilize GIS information and process it as an image such as a map of your favorite park or freeway. Using this technology can help you avoid traffic jams and other hazardous situations. You can track dangerous criminals like those marijuana smokers, and you can keep an eye on local weather conditions to better prepare yourself.


mobile image of hurricane surge 1999.


Traditionally, GIS programming relied on a static environment, mobile devices such as cell phones require a different type of GIS language to transfer information to a roving device. The following web site http://www.gisdevelopment.net/technology/mobilemapping/index.htm offers some great articles written by the developers of the mobile programming language, definitely worth a look.
Mapping technology is only beginning to see its full potential. Scientists are using modern mapping techniques to track global warming trends, earthquakes, and virtually any other environmental system you can imagine. So take a moment and read up because soon all human kind will be taken over by hordes of map geeks.

3D Catrography

This weeks blog looks at cartography and three-dimensional maps. How does a cartographer depict 3D images on a two-dimensional piece of paper? A web-site maintained by the Three-Dimensional Geologic Maps and Visualization Project http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/wgmt/3d/
focuses on using three-dimensional maps that use traditional geologic information in conjunction with contemporary computer mapping techniques. Figure 2.1 is an example of a three-dimensional map developed during this project. The addition of multiple layers does not mean that additional colors have to be used to represent the new layers. In fact, the effect is quite desirable as you now have an image that displays the depth and width of a specific geological zone.

Figure 2.1





Traditional mapping techniques have almost always attempted to incorporate the 'real world' in their maps using items like contour lines to represent elevational differences. Figure 2.2 illustrates this common technique.

Figure 2.2



















Contemporary cartography continues to use traditional mapping techniques to create maps for visual use. Computers and mapping programs now allow cartographers to create maps that display the 'real world' in a different way. For example, Astronomers at the University of London have recently created a colossal three-dimensional map that is the largest of its kind. The map displays millions of galaxies spread over approximately five-million light years of space. The project is very interesting and deserves a look
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0605/06051802

Three-dimensional cartography goes way beyond making a better geological map or developing maps that explore the universe. Today's cartographers are building maps for areas of the 'real world' only imagined until now. The medical industry, nano-physics, and other areas of study have been given a new perspective on traditional concepts. Modern cartography's expansion to realms other then geop has opened doors so vast that there is now an overwhelming demand for computer savvy map geeks like us. Finally we get paid to do what we like the most, develop, analyze, and critize maps.

Caricature maps and contemporary cartography

This weeks post considers social idea's regarding old maps and new maps. This concept though simple in design is deceptively misleading. What makes a map old and why is it different then a new map? Are old maps old ideas about social ideology? Such as racial divisions or two dimensional representations of geographical characteristics that have since been updated by science? Armed with these basic representations of what a map could be in terms of social function let us explore the differences between old and new maps. Old maps can in some cases be thought of as representing ideas about a culture or a set of cultures that live within and are influenced their geographical region. Figure 1.7 illustrates Homer's concept of the world around 900 BCE. Greatly influenced by geography and early social ideas, early maps depicted the 'world' as being very small, flat, and trapped in a sphere.

Figure 1.7

Later period maps sometimes focused on the location of specific regions and seem to be greatly influenced by organized religion. Figure 1.8 is an example of map design that is based on the final destination of Noah's Ark.
New maps unlike old maps are often considered free from the influence of religion and social ideas. Modern cartographers are suppose to create maps that depict the world in a see-it-like-it-is manner. Do they? can modern cartography really escape the influence of government or the iconic impression of piety to culture. Figure 1.9 is one example of Germany's many propaganda maps. Throughout WWII Germany created many such maps in an attempt to scared the enemy and comfort German citizens. Cartographers in some cases are socially forced to contrive maps that misrepresent the truth as in the German example.

Figure 1.8


New maps and by new I mean maps that have been created in the last 20 years continue to suffer human ethnocentrism but to a different degree. Modern maps are very accessible in terms of production nearly anyone can create a map using computer mapping software. As a result the average map user must be weary about how information is presented or misrepresented. For example, the current president's fear based idea that claim that Iraq has numerous Weapons of Mass Destruction. Map after map was produced to support the claim. Figure 1.10 is one of dozens of propaganda maps created to secure public support for military invasion. Later reports indicate that there were no Weapon of Mass Destruction and that there probably never was. The use of maps have been an essential part of human life ways. As technology advances so do the complexities of maps and the ability to create caricature images that promote self-interest groups. The only weapon against such maliace deeds is to teach ourselves more about maps, their production, and intent.

Figure 1.9





Figure 1.10