COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE)
Keystone Pipeline System Web Map
Real-time weather information in USA and Canada via social media posts
Web Map displaying Satellites in Earth's Orbit
Mapping Liquid Water on Mars
Since NASA has recently announced the discovery of water on Mars, ESRI has created an interactive story map that combines high resolution satellite imagery, craters and animation videos to show the evidence of liquid water in Mars.
ESRI's Interactive story Map showing Liquid water on Mars
Virtual trip to Mars using NASA's Mars Trek
NASA has launched Mars Trek - an interactive Map viewer, that can be used to explore Mars, just like the way you explore earth on google earth! You can take a quick tour to familiarize yourself with the Map viewer. You can even view the surface in 3D! If you think it is scary to sign up for a one-way trip to Mars, count your lucky stars, you can now explore Mars with few clicks from our very own planet - the earth!
Click on the link below to access NASA's Mars Trek:
NASA's Map Trek - an interactive Map viewer
Click on the link below to access NASA's Mars Trek:
NASA's Map Trek - an interactive Map viewer
Nepal Earthquake 2015 Web Map
Nepal was struck by a devastating earthquake on 25th April 2015. A major aftershock occurred on 12th May 2015. Here is a web map of earthquake in Nepal that contains layer such as photo log, earthquake incidents, damage assessment and census data symbolized based on total population at municipality and village development committee (VDC) level. You can click on any points and view the attribute information. Click on the arrow on top left to view the legends of the layers. Zoom in and out can be performed by clicking + or - button on the left corner. The home icon takes you to the full extent view. Search of address and places can be performed by using the search box located at the top right. ArcGIS online is used to make this web map. The web map services published on ArcGIS online are added as layers. A lot of customizations have been made on the layers to create this web map. Please note that some locations are not geo-referenced properly.
View larger map
Other web maps related to Nepal Earthquake 2015
Nepal Quake Unofficial Crisis Map on Google Map
Nepal Earthquake Google Crisis Map (contains Satellite Imagery of the area)
Introduction to GIS
Indian GeoPortal Bhuvan
Free GIS data, free access to high resolution satellite imagery, interactive web map viewer, access to land services, weather services layers, 2D and 3D views and so many stuffs on Indian GeoPortal Bhuvan. The web map viewer, though still in beta version, is interactive and user friendly. It's compatible with most browsers. I like Bhuvan!
Here is the link to Bhuvan home page
Here is the link to the Map Viewer
Here is an article on Bhuvan posted on GIS Lounge
Earthquake mapping in real time on OregonLive
There are plenty of earthquake mapping websites such as Seismic Monitor, the U.S. Geologic Survey, and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network etcetera to name a few. These websites show recent earthquakes across the globe, however, the Oregonian/OregonLive earthquake web map makes underwater features a major component, thereby focussing on tsunami waves triggered by the earthquakes. The Oregonian/OregonLive web map is updated every 15 minutes and makes it easier to track earthquakes in oceans.
Read more on OregonLive
Read more on OregonLive
Using drones to help earthquake victims in Nepal
To assist earthquake victims in Nepal, Canadian relief team have used drones to capture high-resolution aerial images and videos to locate areas where aid is required so that emergency responders can act efficiently. The Canadian made drones, used by the Toronto based humanitarian organization called GlobalMedic, have taken thousands of high-resolution images that are cross-stitched onto maps. It is amazing to see how GIS based technologies are being used for natural disaster relief causes. Read more on CBC news.
Modelling the dispersion of vehicular carbon monoxide pollution along Deerfoot Trail in Calgary
Abstract (MGIS Thesis)
The main objective of this study is to model the dispersion pattern of vehicular carbon monoxide
along Deerfoot Trail in Calgary by using CALINE4 software combined with GIS techniques. A
road network (14.28 km long), extending from south-east to north-east Deerfoot Trail, is
considered as the road segment under study. The study is broadly divided into three parts viz.
CALINE4 analysis, GIS analysis and S-PLUS analysis. The CALINE4 analysis involves two
different run type models to calculate 1-hour average CO concentrations at the receptors under
‘Standard’ run type model and then 8-hour average CO concentration under ‘Multi-Run/WorstCase
hybrid’ model. A typical day (June 1, 2006) is chosen to calculate 1-hour average CO
concentration at the receptors from 7:00 am to 6:00pm. The predicted CO is used to evaluate the
model by comparing to the observed values of CO at south-east monitoring station. The output
from standard run type model shows that the predicted CO concentration is mainly dependent on
wind speed and wind direction. The R-square value of 0.47 suggests that the model explained
47% of the original variability in the data. The predicted 8-hour average CO concentration from
7:00 am to 2:00 pm is used for interpolating the surface to predict the values of CO at unknown
locations within the study area. The predicted CO concentrations at the receptors are interpolated
using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Global Polynomial (GP), Ordinary Kriging (J-Bessel
model) and Universal Kriging (Spherical model) interpolation methods. The Oridnary Kriging
model is statistically more significant than the Universal Kriging model with lower Root Mean
Square (RMS) value of 0.32 and higher RMS standardized value of 0.92. However, the Trend
Surface Analysis shows the presence of first order trend in the data and the Geometric Anisotropy
shows the presence of anisotropy in the data. Therefore, Ordinary Kriging model uses a biased
estimator and is not reliable. The Universal Kriging model accounts for both trend and anisotropy
in the data. As such, it is the best model that can be used reliably for decision-making purposes.
This model has RMS and RMS standardized values of 0.33 and 0.87 respectively. The S-PLUS
analysis is used to validate the statistical significance of the GIS analysis and perform Universal
kriging. The Universal kriging model shows CO concentration ‘hot-spots’ especially around the
areas close to the highway.
Read entire thesis
Poster Presentation of MGIS Thesis (awarded as the best MGIS Poster from The Department of Geography at University of Calgary in 2010)
Read entire thesis
Poster Presentation of MGIS Thesis (awarded as the best MGIS Poster from The Department of Geography at University of Calgary in 2010)
GIS Habitat modelling of Bufo Calamita on Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve
Abstract (M.Sc. Thesis)
The main objective of this study is to model the habitats of Bufo Calamita in Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve (North-west England) by
using GIS habitat modelling techniques. There are various GIS techniques used in this study viz. Multi-Criteria-Evaluation (MCE)
analysis, Neighbourhood analysis, Overlay analysis and 3D views of the models. The
results derived from the Neighbourhood analysis is the most effective and has greater
potential from management perspective.
The neighbourhood analysis results were overlaid with the assigned values of the land cover class in
the Overlay analysis to obtain the sites suitable for restoration/preservation. The 3D
views of the models were used to give a clear scenario of the models in a 3
dimensional form. The study revealed that GIS techniques are efficient in creating a
predictive model of the Bufo Calamita's habitat in Ainsdale Sand Dunes. The habitat modelling of Bufo Calamita is a daunting task as there are several factors/variables to consider that affects their habitat. Moreover, habitat
suitability for Bufo Calamita differ between seasons. The evaluation of the model
was done by preparing a set of questionnaires to the experts from Ainsdale Sand Dunes regarding
the model‟s efficiency. It was acknowledged that the results obtained from this study
have a great practical implications especially in prioritizing the potential sites suitable
for restoration and preservation, which is crucial in decision making process from the
management perspective. Read entire thesis
Modeling the dispersion of vehicular carbon-monoxide pollution in Kathmandu valley
Modeling the dispersion of vehicular carbon-monoxide pollution in Kathmandu valley, Nepal: A CALINE4 approach combined with GIS Techniques
Abstract
Kathmandu valley is more vulnerable to air pollution than other rapidly growing Asian cities because of the bowl like structure of the valley and poor wind speed inside the valley. The main objective of this study is to model the dispersion pattern of vehicular carbon monoxide in Kathmandu valley by using CALINE4 software combined with GIS techniques. CALINE4 uses vehicular count, pollution and meteorological data to predict the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration. A typical day (15th of February 2007) is chosen to calculate 1-hour average CO concentration at the receptor points during peak hour (8:00 – 9:00 am). A road network extending from Maitighar to Koteshwor, which is approximately 4 km in length, is considered as the main road network. Ninety receptor points are created within the 500 meters buffer area of the main road network and CALINE4 is used to predict CO concentration at these points. The predicted CO concentration at the receptor points are then interpolated using K-Bessel universal kriging. The resulting map is reclassified to create ‘hot-spots’ where the areas are classified based on the predicted CO concentration. Root mean square error (RMSE) method is carried out to evaluate the model performance by comparing the predicted and observed CO concentration within 10 meters buffer from the study site. The RMSE value is found to be 0.77 and the accuracy of the model performance as 74%. Read entire article
Insurance Risk Profiling in Alberta
The main objective of this study is to develop an “Atmospheric Risk Composite Score” and then a “Catastrophic Risk for Alberta – Atmospheric Hazard” score as per the FSA boundaries for the Alberta province, Canada. This is based on three atmospheric natural hazards viz. 50 Year Return Wind-speed, Average Number of Days with Hail, Number of Tornadoes per Year (per 10,000 sq. km.). This exercise is set to explore natural hazards data for Alberta and develop a summary of atmospheric risks similar to the type of risk scoring that is used by the insurance industry.
Geodemographic Segmentation: Social vulnerability index
Social vulnerability is one of a series of indicators that are commonly used to assess risk or vulnerability in a geographic population. It is a useful tool for agencies such as Regional Health and Child and Family Services for use in long-term planning, policy development and resource allocation. The Social vulnerability Index is a very specific tool to measure need of a population through highlighting stress and disadvantage as evidenced in the 2001 census. Demographically, the Social vulnerability Index is based on nine census variables. The main purpose of this study is to work with the 2001 Statistics Canada census data at the Dissemination Area (DA) level, and develop a Social vulnerability Index map for the Calgary CMA.
Practical application of GIS in Business planning and operations
The main purpose of this study is to explore the creation of trade area customer profiles and undertake trade area analysis in the city of Calgary, Canada. The data available for the analysis is a customer survey data for ABC sporting goods store which was created through interviewing customers as they left three stores during a one week period in the month of September. The three ABC sporting goods outlets in Calgary market are located in three different malls viz. Crowfoot centre as store A, Westhills as Store B and Bankers Hall as Store C. The customer locations were geocoded by matching postal codes. ABC sporting goods store are new to Calgary market and was first opened in the year 1993. ArcGIS software package is used for the analysis. This study focuses on the trade area analysis of the ABC sporting goods store.
Developing a landuse real estate GIS model
The main purpose of this study is to develop a demo land use real estate model for Advanced Real Estate Solutions (ARES) Ground in Calgary. A typical request from a young family is provided for the neighborhood search criteria to use in the demo model. The potential client request includes a) existing residential areas b) within 1000 meters to an elementary school c) house price between $200,000 to $300,000 d) Average Income greater than $100,000 e) On average, thee or more bedrooms, and f) at least 500 meters from a major road. The data available for analysis are ‘Calgary communities’, ‘Calgary community land use 2001’, ‘Calgary major roads 2001’, ‘Calgary elementary schools 2001’ as shape files and ‘Calgary community average bedrooms’, ‘Calgary community average house price’ and ‘Calgary community average income’ as ‘.dbf’ files. ArcGIS is used for analysis.
GIS Mapping and Cartography to map possible sightings of Caribou in Revelstoke National Park
The International Cartographic Association defines cartography as the art, science, and technology of making maps, together with their study as scientific documents and works of art which can include all types of maps, plans, charts, and sections, three-dimensional models and globes representing the Earth or any celestial body at any scale (Dent 1993). According to Longley et al. (2005) GIS has fundamentally changed cartography and the way we create, use and think about maps. This study is intended to use ArcGIS software package and create high quality cartographic maps. The datasets available for analysis are the general land cover map of Revelstoke (British Columbia) 1997, the Revelstoke forest cover shape file, and other ArcGIS format files such as boundary, digital elevation model, highways, lakes, glaciers, streams etc. These datasets are used to create two high quality cartographic maps. The first map outlines the general land cover map area clipped with features such as roads, lakes, highways and glaciers. The second map shows the possible sightings of Caribou in the study site during the early winter. The purpose of the first map is to give a general idea of the Revelstoke national park for the tourists and visitors. The purpose of the second map is to assist the conservationist and concerned authorities about the possible sightings of Caribou during the early winter. The main objectives of this study are to i) gain familiarity with ArcGIS, specifically ArcMap,
ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox and ii) create informative, visually pleasing, well balanced maps using established cartographic principles.
ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox and ii) create informative, visually pleasing, well balanced maps using established cartographic principles.
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