The History of Mapmaking and New Mapmaking Technology

Early Cartographers Early cartographers climbed to the highest point they could find to draw a map. This is called plane-table surveying and was the main method of mapping before the 1940’s. This was very dangerous, inaccurate and time consuming.

Unfortunately, aerial photography can only be used on clear days. Remote Sensing is any form of data collection from above the land surface. Aerial photographs were the first tool used to improve map making Unfortunately, aerial photography can only be used on clear days.

Radar Radar allowed cartographers to “see through” clouds to collect data. Radar sends a signal toward Earth, which bounces off the surface and is reflected back to the transmitter. Computers process the data and create maps.

Satellite Technology The first satellite to study Earth itself was Landsat 1, launched in 1972. Landsat detects solar energy reflected from the earth’s surface. Computers process the data into images and maps. akikoma.remos.iwate-u.ac.jp/.../ landsat-s.jpg

Landsat Images False color is used in Landsat images to make the varying energy easier to see. Healthy vegetation Red Pavement/Bare ground Bright Urban Areas Blue/gray Still water Black snowcover.gsfc.nasa.gov/ gra/2.comps/landsat.i...

Sample Landsat Images Southern Dubai in 1973 (left) and in 2006 (right). The famous manmade Palm Islands are easily discernible on the Landsat 7 2006 image.

The Station Fire in southern California started Wednesday, August 26, 2009. The orange colored areas have been burned and the active fires are the brightest spots in the image. Sample Landsat Images Station Fire California - 2009

Ridge and Valley Province, Pennsylvania, USA

Greenland - Petermann Glacier

Mississippi River Delta

Manicouagan Impact Structure, Quebec, Canada

Global Positioning System (GPS) Can be used to find position, speed, and time anywhere and anytime. It is not affected by bad weather. Can be used on land, at sea, or in the air.

3 Parts of GPS Space – 24 satellites in circular orbit around Earth Control - Master control station is in Colorado Springs, CO User - Receivers that allow people to use the system.

Uses of GPS Scientific studies Banking and business trading Navigation Measurements of Earth Navigation Games Earth Monitoring

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) GIS combines data from a variety of sources to give you a better understanding of a certain place. Cartographers layer selected data together into 1 map based on what the user wants.

What can GIS do? Provide driving directions Show population density to urban planners Track pollutants in different areas. Identify cancer incidences and illustrate patterns. Examine patterns of wildlife distribution. This map shows population density in the east Asian and Indian Ocean regions.

Other Uses of GPS http://www.esri.com/company/gis_touches/everyday.html