Time animations are a new capability Google added to the Google Earth 4 beta in late summer of this year. When someone simply adds time stamps to KML content, a slider appears in the interface which allows you to control the interval of time you are viewing. Google has taken care of automatically animating the content whether it is placemarks, polygons, lines, image overlays, and even 3D models. It’s the fourth dimension done right!
This is GEB’s list of the top 10 time animations viewable with Google Earth 4 (version 4.0.2091+). I recommend you delete the folder containing each time animation after viewing it to free up memory before loading the next one. Animations with 3D models or image overlays can consume a lot of memory. But, these animations are definitely worth viewing. They are listed in chronological order as to when they appeared in this blog. You may want to read the blog entries for each for more details and instructions.
- Avian Flu
– By Declan Butler of Nature Magazine – blog entry
- Hurricane Katrina – By Brian Flood – blog entry
- Growth of Buildings in London – By ‘barnabu’ from GEC – blog entry
- Paleogeographic Animation – By Valery Hrosunov – blog entry
- Earth on Fire – By Valery Hrosunov – blog entry
- Clouds of Jupiter – By ‘barnabu’ – blog entry
- Blue Marble Time Animation – By Frank Taylor and Barry Hunter – blog entry
- Ferris Wheel – By ‘barnabu’ – blog entry – NOTE: if you are using the latest GE beta – see this version
- Paddle Boat – By Joey Wade – blog entry
- Edmund Fitzgerald – by Joey Wade – blog entry – NOTE: if you are using the latest GE beta – see this version
About Frank Taylor
Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.
Yes I agree those mentioned animations are great to look at. The Jupiter animation is my favorite even if it is not at the top position.
Thank you for sharing this animations with me !
Is there a way to lay a path on google earth such as trying to design a marathon race course and then do an animation of the path at a set elevation to show the course from just above the ground?
the hurricane katrina one was my favorite its amazing what technology has been able to do these days
Has read all in detail, excellent blog! Is there a way to lay a path on google earth such as trying to design a marathon race course and then do an animation of the path at a set elevation to show the course from just above the ground?
the content whether it is placemarks, polygons, lines, image overlays, and even 3D models. It’s the fourth dimension done right!Good Luck!
Yes I agree those mentioned animations are great to look at. The Jupiter animation is my favorite even if it is not at the top position.GOoD Luck!