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.
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.
About Mickey Mellen
Mickey has been using Google Earth since it was released in 2005, and has created a variety of geo-related sites including Google Earth Hacks. He runs a web design firm in Marietta, GA, where he lives with his wife and two kids.
Thanks for the post. Some of the worst damage can be seen around the National Palace (just do a search for “National Palace” when you are zoomed into the area). The Palace itself has collapsed as well as buildings around its perimeter. And then if you pan to the west, whole blocks look devastated. You can also see smoke from a fire about 5 blocks to the west.
Thanks for posting this image so quickly. I have used this to map some of the more obvious areas of liquefaction-induced damage along the coast. Much of the coastal infrastructure (wharfs, piers, etc.) have suffered damage; I presume that these areas are underlain by non-engineered fill and have been subject to slumping and liquefaction/lateral spreading.
Updates. I understood updates would be frequent and there is a new kml file about twice a day, but I check the airport and it can’t possibly be updated that frequently. I found one place that said the next new photo will be Thursday. Why the new files twice a day? I need details. Thanks.