IN43B-01
Techniques for Generating KML for Data Visualization in Virtual Globes.
Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is a standard data format for visualizing geospatial information. It is supported by many geo-visualization packages including popular online mapping tools, professional GIS packages, and "Virtual Globes" such as NASA World Wind, Google Earth, and Microsoft Virtual Earth. KML includes methods for visualizing data in 2, 3 and 4-dimensions, using core elements such as: point, line and polygon features; textured 3D models; and aerial/satellite imagery and photograph overlays. KML has been used by a wide variety of researchers, organizations and businesses to visualize and share their data. We will present an assortment of cutting-edge data visualizations which use KML's core features in creative and performance-conscience ways to display a variety of scientific/geospatial datasets. We will discuss a range of tools and techniques for creating and serving KML, including online applications, spreadsheets, databases, scripting options and GIS servers.
IN43B-02 INVITED
Using KML for Thematic Mapping
Thematic mapping has a long history in cartography, but the new geobrowsers tend not to focus on this
aspect of geographical information representation. This talk demonstrates how Keyhole Markup Language
(KML) and geobrowsers can be used for thematic mapping. Due to their huge public interest and relative
accessibility, geobrowsers are potentially capable of bringing thematic maps or visualisations to a wider
audience. KML is not targeted towards thematic mapping, but it is possible to use KML elements in ways that
were probably not intended. Current possibilities for making proportional symbol maps, chart maps,
choropleth maps and animated maps with KML will be presented. An open source Thematic Mapping Engine
(TME) has been developed as a proof-of-concept. This application allows the user to make thematic maps
through an easy-to-use web interface. TME provides a low-cost solution suitable for non-profits and public-
benefit organisations.
http://thematicmapping.org
IN43B-03
Displaying Four Dimensional Data In Virtual Globes: Volcanic Ash Dispersion Modeling
Virtual Globes, such as Google Earth, provide a three dimensional view of the Earth. Developments have
allowed data to be displayed with a time feature, permitting four dimensional scientific data to be displayed.
Volcanic Ash Dispersion models, such as the Puff model used by the Alaska Volcano Observatory and
University of Alaska Geophysical Institute, are able to forecast the movement of ash clouds from erupting
volcanoes. This information is important for hazard assessment and providing advisories to the aviation
community. Recently, the Puff model has been developed to provide automated forecasts for volcanoes with
elevated alert status. Every six hours, forecasts show the movement of any ash clouds if a volcano was to
erupt during that time period. This information can be used to provide a rapid response if a volcanic crisis
develops. Network links enable these forecasts to be updated within Google Earth, allowing the user to view
the most recent dataset. Here, we show how the Puff model predictions are displayed in Google Earth, along
with the capability that Google Maps brings to displaying multiple predictions from numerous volcanoes. In
addition, we show how Google Earth helps in understanding and displaying past volcanic ash-aviation
encounters.
http://puff.images.alaska.edu
IN43B-04
Mapping Glacier Data and Photographs via GeoServer and Virtual Globes
Two extensively used glacier data sets include the World Glacier Inventory and the Glacier Photograph Collection. Both data sets are hosted at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado. The World Glacier Inventory encompasses over 100,000 records of glacier data and the Glacier Photograph Collection houses approximately 9,000 digitized photographs. The online Glacier Photograph Collection has doubled in size this year due to significant updates from the USGS Ice and Climate Project collection. A majority of these aerial photographs were taken by legendary aerial photographer Austin Post. These updates bring images from the past to the forefront by allowing users to view Alaskan glaciers from the 1960s through the 1990s. Since KML is now an open standard, these glacier KML files are accessible through many virtual globes. The glacier photograph KML files are updated at infrequent intervals. Because the WGI contains over 100,000 data records, it is impractical to create a static KML file to access the data. A remedy to this issue is to host the data in a spatial database. A PostgreSQL database with a PostGIS extension is selected for this reason. GeoServer, an open source server, supports PostGIS and produces KML/KMZ as an output option. The need for manual KML/KMZ updates is alleviated since GeoServer includes the built-in functionality. GeoServer acts as the intermediary between the database and the final content in a virtual globe. When viewing the output KML/KMZ from GeoServer, the World Glacier Inventory fields are difficult to interpret since the database field names are displayed without an explanation. Customizations to the field names implemented locally at NSIDC make the pop-up windows in a virtual globe more comprehensible and user friendly. By enabling access to both glacier files, scientific data users have the ability to locate their region of interest and look for both data sets in a spatial context. Data users can see where the glacier data from two sources coincide and where they deviate. A researcher may find ancillary information in the glacier photographs that assists with their research. The focus of this presentation is to bridge the two glacier data sets and their updates together with the latest GeoServer technology in a virtual globe environment.
IN43B-05
3D Globe Support for Arctic Science through the Arctic Research Mapping Application (ARMAP)
Virtual Globes or 3D Geobrowsers play a crucial role in the visualization of spatial data for scientific research.
While many applications provide the ability to visualize data, they lack the necessary GIS functionality to
query the information. In addition, many users want to overlay their own tabular, vector and raster data on a
virtual globe. The 3D Arctic Research Mapping Application (ARMAP 3D) provides a free 3D geobrowser that
includes query functionality and support for many data formats and map services.
ARMAP 3D was developed on top of a free software application from the Environmental Systems Research
Institute (ESRI) called ArcGIS Explorer (AGX). Several custom tasks as well as a customizable interface have
been developed for ARMAP 3D with AGX's own software development kit (SDK) using .NET framework.
ARMAP 3D includes high resolution imagery and information from the Arctic Research Logistics Support
Service (ARLSS) database which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). ARLSS includes
information about NSF research locations plus locations from National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) locations. With special emphasis on
the International Polar Year (IPY), ARMAP has targeted science planners, scientists, educators, and the
general public. In sum, ARMAP goes beyond a simple map display to enable analysis, synthesis, and
coordination of Arctic research. Information on the ARMAP suite of applications and services may be
accessed via the gateway web site at http://www.armap.org.
http://www.armap.org
IN43B-06 INVITED
NASA World Wind: A New Mission
Virtual Globes are well into their first generation, providing increasingly rich and beautiful visualization of
more types and quantities of information. However, they are still mostly single and proprietary programs, akin
to a web browser whose content and functionality are controlled and constrained largely by the browser's
manufacturer. Today Google and Microsoft determine what we can and cannot see and do in these
programs.
NASA World Wind started out in nearly the same mode, a single program with limited functionality and
information content. But as the possibilities of virtual globes became more apparent, we found that while
enabling a new class of information visualization, we were also getting in the way. Many users want to provide
World Wind functionality and information in their programs, not ours. They want it in their web pages. They
want to include their own features. They told us that only with this kind of flexibility, could their objectives and
the potential of the technology be truly realized.
World Wind therefore changed its mission: from providing a single information browser to enabling a whole
class of 3D geographic applications. Instead of creating one program, we create components to be used in
any number of programs. World Wind is NASA open source software. With the source code being fully visible,
anyone can readily use it and freely extend it to serve any use. Imagery and other information provided by
the World Wind servers is also free and unencumbered, including the server technology to deliver geospatial
data. World Wind developers can therefore provide exclusive and custom solutions based on user needs.
http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/
IN43B-07
SciScope: Using Virtual Globes for Environmental Data Discovery
The first step in many environmental analyses is locating and assembling a dataset. Many environmental
analyses are inherently interdisciplinary and there is no single controlled vocabulary or document format
making the assembly a difficult and time consuming process. SciScope (www.sciscope.org) is a data
discovery engine for locating and retrieving environmental data from over 1.8 million sites across the United
States operated by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National
Climatic Data Center (NCDC) as well as individual researchers and smaller regional agencies. Scientists can
use SciScope to discover relevant data by simply typing in a keyword and selecting a geographical feature
such as a watershed or eco-region. Data of interest can then be retrieved to the scientist's desktop in a
consistent format. We believe by creating a unified view over multiple data repositories and with its
geographical search capabilities, SciScope will dramatically expedite data assembly.
http://www.sciscope.org
IN43B-08
Google Earth for Public Outreach Through Scientific Visualizations
Google Earth Outreach helps non-profit and public benefit groups put their data online in a geographic
context using Google Earth and Maps. This improves their outreach and communication with the world, and
can effectively impact policy and public understanding of science. We will explore several exceptional
examples that use Google Earth and Maps to display scientific data and share it with the world. You will learn
what is necessary to get started on building your Earth or Maps application, which can allow your colleagues
or the public to access, explore, and understand your data.
http://earth.google.com/outreach