I’ve mentioned several times things I love about Google Earth. I use it a lot for my work, but I also find it to be a lot of fun. Today, I’d like to share some interesting resources and tips on more geographic information about local features that can be explored in Google Earth. Google Earth is every Internet user’s gateway to geographic information system (GIS) information.
Topographic maps can be overlaid right on top of Google Earth so you can compare the aerial view and the map. This layer was kindly reprojected, stitched, and made available by3DSolar.
The National Wetland Inventory compiled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a key reference in conducting a lot of environmental studies, and is now available in a Google Earth projection. Very handy for first-cut approach to a site, even though you still need field verification.
The Earthquake Hazards Program offered by the U.S. Geological Survey compiles several different and interesting links relevant to earthquake and geological hazards.
Air Quality Index maps from U.S. EPA AIRNow let you explore current, recent, and real-time air quality throughout the U.S.
MapCruizin is a local firm that gathers several free resources for Google Earth (and other geographic applications), including a map of California watersheds; a series of visualizations of U.S. EPA information on toxics and pollution; projections of the effects of global warming and climate change; and links to a collection of tools to do more with Google Earth, like use GIS data, draw new shapes, calculate areas, etc.
Another local initiative, Green Wheels, compiled a layer showing the Humboldt Bay trail network, both existing and planned.
Sea level rise scenarios from Mark Mulligan at the King’s College of London allow you to try various inundation scenarios based on the projected rise of sea level, and to compare the accuracy of the model for your area by checking it against current conditions.
Naturally, the Google Earth Gallery offers a multitude of other interesting or useful layers.
Links of interest:
Cool stuff! Your posts often make me wish I had time to play with all the wonderful links. This one has several though that I just might squeeze in.