Environment Archives

March 17, 2010

Searching for gold in Google Earth

If you ever like to pan for gold, a new tool might be able to help you out. Using a U.S. Department of Interior database, Gold Maps Online has created a variety of KML files to help highlight areas where gold is currently being found.

gold-in-google-earth.jpg

From their site:

This map can be viewed as a near real-time look at America's active gold deposits. It's near real-time because gold mining claim holders are required to pay annual fees to maintain ownership. They wouldn't do that if they weren't finding gold on the property. This is a map of where prospectors are finding gold in 2010.

The maps aren't free, but you have a few good options. You can try a free sample map to see what it looks like. If you'd like another state, simply contact them and mention GEB and they'll give it to you for free!

These maps are quite well done and could be rather valuable if you happen to be planning a search for gold.

Posted by mickmel at 6:25 AM | Comments (0)

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February 10, 2010

The world's highest mountains

Google Sightseeing has an interesting article about Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador, and how it can make a claim to being the world's highest mountain. While it's not further above sea level than Mount Everest, it's actually further from the center of the earth (and closer to the moon) than Everest because of the equatorial bulge.

Of course, mountains are always measured relative to sea level, so this doesn't really count. However, it gives us a good excuse to check out some of the largest mountains on the planet, all of which look stunning in Google Earth. Here's the five largest mountains, as measured by distance above sea level:

1. Mount Everest - 8,848 meters - KML
Everest

2. K2 - 8,611 meters - KML
K2

3. Kangchenjunga - 8,586 meters - KML
Kangchenjunga

4. Lhotse - 8,516 meters - KML
Lhotse

5. Makalu - 8,485 meters - KML
Makalu

And even though it's not in the official top 5 list, we should also show off Mount Chimborazo, the "tallest" mountain in the world (KML)
Chimborazo

If you enjoy checking out the mountains in Google Earth, here are a few more resources you'll find useful:

• Google Earth Cool Places: Mountains and Volcanoes
• Google Sightseeing: Natural Landmarks
• Google Earth Hacks: Mountains, Volcanoes

Are there any particularly awesome mountains in Google Earth that you're fond of? Let us know in the comments.

Posted by mickmel at 8:19 AM | Comments (4)

February 2, 2010

A Climate Change Tour of Cold Places

Over the past few years, The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) has built some impressive Google Earth files, such as the Wilkins Ice Shelf Collapse.

They've now released a project titled "A Climate Change Tour of Cold Places", which was created as a collaboration with the University of Colorado at Boulder School of Education. The 12 minute tour is narrated, and features a variety of photos and videos along the way. They call it a "tour of the snowy and icy regions of the world covering sea ice, glaciers, ice shelves, and permafrost".

Climate Change Tour

You can download the KML of the tour here. For details about the data behind the tour, they have a comprehensive data sheet available. For more information, simply visit their site.

Posted by mickmel at 9:18 AM | Comments (0)

January 18, 2010

Resources for Haiti

In the days since the tragic earthquake in Haiti, many geo-related resources have been released. Here are some of the more noteworthy things we've seen:

[UPDATE - Jan 21 -- Even newer imagery from Google, with incredibly high 15cm resolution in some areas]

Recent imagery from GeoEye
We mentioned it before, but felt it worth mentioning again. Google and GeoEye are working together to push out fresh imagery to a special layer in Google Earth and they've made it available a few different ways. You can download the KML file to view the imagery, and now you can also access it via the "Historical Imagery" slider at the top of your screen. The file is constantly being appended with more data and imagery.

Interactive Imagery Tool from the New York Times
The New York Times has built a slick tool to highlight some of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake. It's a unique and powerful way to compare "before and after" imagery, with various landmarks highlighted and explained.

New York Times slider

Massive Imagery Files for Relief Organizations
In addition to the updated imagery being provided for Google Earth, GeoEye is releasing massive high-res imagery files for relief organizations. These files are hundreds of MB in size, and intended for mapping professionals to assist in responding to the earthquake.

Staying Connected
Google is doing a lot of things to try to help people stay connected with loved ones in Haiti, such as offering a "People Finder" gadget to get people together, and offering free phone calls via Google Voice from the United States to Haiti. All of the details can be found here.

Bing Maps and Photosynth
Microsoft has built a Photosynth of some of the damaged areas of Port-Au-Prince. Photosynth is a neat way to view collections of photographs, though this imagery was collected from video footage and isn't of the highest quality.

Haiti Photosynth

However, they've also added updated imagery to Bing Maps. Unlike Google, this imagery is part of the standard layer now, so you can simply fly there to see it. This makes it more easily accessible to people, but it eliminates the ability to compare before/after shots.

Open Route Service via Open Street Map
OpenRouteService is keeping an updated map of available street routes in Haiti. Due to the extensive damage, many streets are closed. This map can help authorities and rescuers to reach their destination as quickly as possible. Open Street Map is helping with the project. (link via Mapperz)

Open Route Service

Do you know of any other great resources? Let us know in the comments.

Posted by mickmel at 7:55 AM | Comments (5)

January 13, 2010

Imagery Layer for Haiti Earthquake has been released

Google has been working with GeoEye over the last 24 hours to get fresh imagery from Haiti to help aid relief efforts. They've just released a KML file for it, which you're encouraged to download. The file is actually a network link, so Google can push additional imagery to you without having to release another KML.

Haiti Earthquake

The imagery is remarkably sharp, and shows some amazing scenes such a a soccer field turned into a make-shift camp (shown above), and smoke continuing to billow out of some buildings.

Google has done similar things in the past, with events such as the Myanmar Cyclone or Hurricane Katrina.

In addition to the KML file, Google has set up a crisis response page for the earthquake with lots of information. Specifically, those that are able are encouraged to give donations to help rebuild lives and communities.

Posted by mickmel at 11:06 PM | Comments (3)

More entries for this category:

  1. Links: Burj Dubai, Historical Imagery Updates, Updated EveryTrail App - January 5, 2010
  2. Deforestation of the Amazon is uncovering Geoglyphs - January 4, 2010
  3. The year 2009 in Google Earth - December 30, 2009
  4. Links: GeoVation, Greenhouse gas world graph, Tiger Woods home - December 18, 2009
  5. Links: Audi A8 with Google Earth, Liquid Galaxy, Deer Hunting, StreetView in the snow - December 10, 2009
  6. Climate change with Gov. Schwarzenegger - December 3, 2009
  7. Tracking the migration of Osprey - November 30, 2009
  8. Links: Trikes in South Africa, 10K museums, 10 things to know - November 24, 2009
  9. A closer look at Africa - October 28, 2009
  10. Outreach and the heroes of Google Earth - October 27, 2009
  11. Links: New Panaramio app, Thematic Mapping, ARsights, Disaster Relief, First Pics from WorldView-2 - October 21, 2009
  12. Links: Race My Race, Random Hacks of Kindness, WorldView-2 - October 13, 2009
  13. Better Parks Layer Info, Rio 3D Terrain Enhancements - October 12, 2009
  14. Google releases more tours to highlight climate change - October 6, 2009
  15. Data visualizations in Google Earth - October 5, 2009
  16. Find ways to help those affected by Tropical Storm Ketsana - October 3, 2009
  17. Loop Links, Biodiversity and the Law of the Sea - September 30, 2009
  18. Climate change tools for Google Earth - September 22, 2009
  19. Station Fire in California in Google Earth - August 31, 2009
  20. Links: Alphabet Soup, 3D Models movie, Fire tracking - August 24, 2009
  21. Non-profit's Guide to Using Google Earth/Maps - August 20, 2009
  22. Kaisei Project - Researching the Plastic Vortex - August 5, 2009
  23. NASA/Japan Release Terrain Data - Google Earth's is Better - July 1, 2009
  24. Links: Muggers Caught, Tehran Imagery, Ocean Celebration, UNHCR Donation - June 24, 2009
  25. Gimme Shelter Campaign via Google Earth - June 18, 2009
  26. World Oceans Day, 3D Design Competition, Britain Archeological Site, New Imagery Tour Idea - June 8, 2009
  27. US Drought Conditions in Google Earth by NOAA - June 5, 2009
  28. Huge Waste of Energy Visible in Google Earth - June 2, 2009
  29. Links: Geography Bee, Developer Marketplace, Monetize your Maps - May 21, 2009
  30. Google Earth Outreach Upgrade - May 20, 2009
  31. Links: Non-Profit Resources, Featured Modelers, Poet Recognized, 3D/4D Quake Analysis - May 7, 2009
  32. Two Collections: US Coast Guard and Right Whales - April 28, 2009
  33. Largest Proposed Urban Solar Power Plant in the US - April 23, 2009
  34. Use Google Earth on Earth Day - April 22, 2009
  35. Links: Ocean Now, Michigan Earth Day, Goldman Prize, Convention Center, Queen Mary - April 21, 2009
  36. Wilkins Ice Shelf Collapse in Google Earth - April 17, 2009
  37. L'Aquila, Italy Earthquake in Google Earth - April 8, 2009
  38. Glacier Melt Survey in Google Earth - March 24, 2009
  39. Google Earth Layers - March 22, 2009
  40. Google Earth Historical Imagery Update - 16-March-2009 - March 16, 2009
  41. US Solar Jobs Map - March 11, 2009
  42. Upside Down Earthquakes - March 9, 2009
  43. Satellite Collision Debris Tracking in Google Earth - February 23, 2009
  44. Google Earth 5 Released - 3D Ocean and More! - February 2, 2009
  45. Big Google Earth Announcement with Al Gore and More - January 26, 2009
  46. New View of Ocean Floor in Google Earth - January 17, 2009
  47. Urban Tick - Research Results in Google Earth - January 8, 2009
  48. Ocean Biogeographic Maps in Google Earth - November 25, 2008
  49. Carolina Beach Inlet in Google Earth - November 4, 2008
  50. Links: Bioneers, Science Apps, Ogle Catchup, Google Ocean, GreenPeace, Geocoding - October 24, 2008
  51. Fires in California - 2008-October - Google Earth/Maps - October 14, 2008
  52. Worldwide Marine Protected Areas in Google Earth - October 7, 2008
  53. Modified Mars Add-on for Google Earth - September 22, 2008
  54. More Detailed Arctic Ice Melting Animation in Google Earth - September 19, 2008
  55. Google Earth News Roundup - September 5, 2008
  56. Links: Panoramio Contest, Lunar Challenge, Fire Detection - August 28, 2008
  57. Google.org Visualizes US Geothermal Data in Google Earth - August 21, 2008
  58. Watch Arctic Ice Melting in Google Earth - August 11, 2008
  59. Google Goes to the Amazon - July 27, 2008
  60. More Bad News on Coral Reefs - NOAA's Google Earth Data - July 10, 2008
  61. Nice Range Map for Important Animals in Google Earth - July 4, 2008
  62. Links: Outreach Birthday, Bullit Chase Scene, NIN Downloads, KMLWiki - June 30, 2008
  63. California Fires - June 2008 - June 29, 2008
  64. Popular Science Highlights Scientific Applications of Google Earth - June 20, 2008
  65. Disappearing Forests Google Earth Visualizations - June 12, 2008
  66. Climate Change Data for Google Earth - May 20, 2008
  67. Links: Science Uses, Compass, GM vs VE, Healthy Planet, and more - April 28, 2008
  68. Google Earth For Earth Day - April 22, 2008
  69. Links: GE Lesson, GETools, Microsoft KML, 3D Bridges, Royal Australian 3D, EPA Award - April 18, 2008
  70. Links: GE/SketchUp Classes, Sea Ice Update, Bergen Terrain, Waldo - April 11, 2008
  71. More Global Awareness Layers: ARKive and WaterAid - April 10, 2008
  72. New Greenpeace Layer in Google Earth - April 3, 2008
  73. Wilkins Ice Shelf, Sea Ice Extent Animation - March 28, 2008
  74. Global Temperature Trends for Google Earth - March 24, 2008
  75. Buy a Tree for the Rainforest - Get a KML - March 21, 2008
  76. Links: Outreach Showcase, Spreadsheet mapping, Geo Test, KML Lesson Talk - February 26, 2008
  77. Big Update to Google Earth Outreach - February 13, 2008
  78. Links: Star Viewer, Green Screen, World Hockey, European Pollution, Golden Shadow - January 29, 2008
  79. Water Bodies in Google Earth - See Australia's! - January 28, 2008
  80. Links: KML Wrap-up, New Orrery, Zip Scribble, South China Sea - January 23, 2008
  81. Top 25 Stories of Google Earth 2007 - December 27, 2007
  82. Montserrat Volcanic Island in Google Earth - December 17, 2007
  83. Outreach Showcase - December 14, 2007
  84. Google Earth and Santa Claus - December 7, 2007
  85. Population Maps for Google Earth - December 5, 2007
  86. Links: EPA Air Quality, DigitalGlobe, Bolivia Protected Areas - November 27, 2007
  87. Arctic Ice Melting Animation in Google Earth - November 26, 2007
  88. Links: WSJ Article, Tornado History, Google Sky Exoplanets - November 15, 2007
  89. Links: Russian Oil Spill, KML Screen Overlay Maker, Android Demo - November 13, 2007
  90. San Francisco Oil Spill in Google Earth - November 12, 2007
  91. DOE Energy Efficient Buildings in 3D Google Earth - November 9, 2007
  92. Google California Fires Master Layer - October 26, 2007
  93. California Fires - Satellite photos, Fire Data in Google Earth - October 23, 2007
  94. San Diego, California Fires - See Smoke in Google Earth - October 22, 2007
  95. Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails in Google Earth - October 15, 2007
  96. Hurricane Followspot Animations in Google Earth - October 4, 2007
  97. Links: GE for scientists, Human body, Burma, Census Explorer, Virtual Earth, Cleanup Weekend - October 2, 2007
  98. Sierra Club Wants to Protect 52 Places in the US - See in Google Earth - September 28, 2007
  99. Google Earth Outreach Enhancements - September 16, 2007
  100. Back to School - Educational Uses with Google Earth - September 11, 2007
  101. News Roundup: Flight Sim Tips, Clouds and Weather, KML 2.2, Google Solar Panels, Pollution - September 10, 2007
  102. Greece Fires in Google Earth - August 28, 2007
  103. News Roundup: Peru Earthquake, Virtual Earth Update, Stefan's Alps Hike - August 16, 2007
  104. Scientific Ocean Drilling Database in Google Earth - August 14, 2007
  105. Virtual Globes at AGU 2007 - Call for Papers - August 8, 2007
  106. Rising Water Effects for Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro - July 31, 2007
  107. Energy Production Information for Western US - July 17, 2007
  108. Live Earth Concerts in Google Earth - July 6, 2007
  109. Quasi-global Near real-time Rainfall in Google Earth - July 3, 2007
  110. June Layers Additions/Updates for Google Earth - June 29, 2007
  111. Google Earth Outreach Announcement Video - June 28, 2007
  112. Notes from the Google Earth Outreach Announcement in NYC - June 27, 2007
  113. Introducing Google Earth Outreach - New Global Awareness Layers - June 26, 2007
  114. News Roundup: Google Earth Nonproifts Initiative, Giant Earth Screen, Pollmapr, Conferences, - June 22, 2007
  115. Google Earth Helping Amazon Indians - June 19, 2007
  116. ISDE Day 3 Summary - June 8, 2007
  117. Google Earth More Realistic with Better Terrain - June 6, 2007
  118. International Symposium on Digital Earth - Day 1, Part 1 - June 5, 2007
  119. Google Releases High Resolution Terrain - Western US and Canaries - June 2, 2007
  120. Rising Water Effects for NYC in Google Earth - Part III - May 25, 2007
  121. Rising Water Effects for NYC in Google Earth - Part II - May 18, 2007
  122. New Google Earth Layers Update: Amsterdam 3D, Forest Service, Taiwan Roads - May 17, 2007
  123. News Roundup 1 - Education, Clean Cruising, Magnalox, NASA UAVSAR - May 6, 2007
  124. See the Googleplex Solar Panel Plan in 3D - May 1, 2007
  125. News Roundup - Chile Border Crisis, Caribou, Gumball Rally, Emotions - April 30, 2007
  126. Maverick Waves Explained - Illustration in Google Earth - April 23, 2007
  127. New California Marine Protected Areas in Google Earth - April 20, 2007
  128. New Google Earth Layers for April: Darfur, Trimble, and more - April 9, 2007
  129. Animation Roundup: Rising Sea Levels, Filling Grand Canyon, Global Clouds - April 6, 2007
  130. Utah Geo Sightseeing in Google Earth - April 4, 2007
  131. Historical Maps of Tornado Paths in the US - April 3, 2007
  132. The Awesome Victoria Falls in Google Earth - March 24, 2007
  133. Super High Resolution Photos in Google Earth - March 18, 2007
  134. Google Highlights New Layers - March 13, 2007
  135. Major Layer Update for Google Earth - March 10th - March 10, 2007
  136. New Snow and Ice Data for Google Earth - March 5, 2007
  137. Happy International Polar Year! Google Earth Presentation - March 2, 2007
  138. World Oil Consumption - 3D Charts in Google Earth - February 27, 2007
  139. NASA Releases More Earth Data for Google Earth - February 22, 2007
  140. National Geographic on Elephant Poaching - Google Earth Presentation - February 20, 2007
  141. News Roundup - FreeGeoTools, Sprol, Subsurface, conferences, Magnalox - February 12, 2007
  142. Google Earth Critical Tool in Fight Against Logging Plan - February 6, 2007
  143. Discovery Sunrise on Google Earth - January 29, 2007
  144. Daily NASA MODIS Satellite Imagery for Google Earth - January 20, 2007
  145. NOAA Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Weather Feed for Google Earth - January 13, 2007
  146. NOAA Releases Estuarine Bathymetric Data for Google Earth - January 12, 2007
  147. Upper Green Valley Environmental Issues Illustrated with Google Earth - January 10, 2007
  148. New Imagery Update for the Holidays - Awesome! - December 17, 2006
  149. Virtual Globes Sessions at AGU - Day 1 - December 13, 2006
  150. NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab Publishes Google Earth Content - December 8, 2006
  151. View Melting Glaciers in Google Earth - December 3, 2006
  152. Maplecroft Risk Analsysis Global Maps in Google Earth - November 22, 2006
  153. Protecting Rainforests in Victoria, Australia Using Google Earth - November 21, 2006
  154. Amazon Indians Using Google Earth to Protect Tropical Forests - November 15, 2006
  155. Earth on Fire - November 4, 2006
  156. End Mountain Top Removal Campaign with Google Earth - October 15, 2006
  157. UNEP's New Environment Layer in Google Earth - September 21, 2006
  158. Back to School - Educational Uses with Google Earth - August 29, 2006
  159. New Environment and Conservation Forum for Google Earth Community - July 17, 2006
  160. Map of Projected Sea Level Rise Effects on Vancouver - May 8, 2006
  161. USGS Releases Geologic Maps for Google Earth - April 25, 2006
  162. Earth Day - Google Earth Style - April 22, 2006
  163. NOAA's Coral Reef Watch Adds Google Earth Data - April 13, 2006
  164. State of Our Ecology in Google Earth - April 12, 2006
  165. Sierra Club Shows Public Land Sale Proposal in Google Earth - March 17, 2006
  166. More Satellite Environmental Data in Google Earth - January 31, 2006
  167. Global Fire Data in Google Earth - January 26, 2006
  168. Arctic and Antarctic Ice Floes in Google Earth - January 25, 2006
  169. Environmental Groups Leveraging Google Earth - January 16, 2006
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