Rebecca Maxwell, Author at GIS Lounge

Augmented Reality and the Digital Map Revolution

July 9, 2017January 26, 2015 by Rebecca Maxwell

Groundbreaking technology called augmented reality is affecting digital maps, changing how we find and discover the world around us.

The 25th Anniversary of the U.S. Census Bureau’s TIGER Project

January 21, 2015 by Rebecca Maxwell

It is something that many of us take for granted every day. If we need to find directions to an unfamiliar place, all we need … Read more

A visualization comparing GPS data from New York City taxis in the days surrounding Hurricane Sandy with the same data under normal traffic conditions.

Using GPS Data to Help Cities in Emergencies

January 15, 2015 by Rebecca Maxwell

In October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast of the United States causing billions of dollars in damage. The super storm became the … Read more

Creating a mosaic by stitching several orthorectified images. Source: Meo et al, 2012).

Using Drones to Create Fast Orthorectified Maps

November 14, 2014November 14, 2014 by Rebecca Maxwell

Computer scientist Mark Pritt, along with colleagues at Lockheed Martin in Gaithersburg, Maryland, developed a new algorithm to handle thousands of images and speed up the process of creating an orthorectified map from UAV aerial imagery.

Using Landsat images analyzed by a neural network, Anemone and his colleagues created a land cover map of the Great Divide Basin. Potential fossil locations are light red, and likely locations are dark red. (Map adapted from Anemone, et al., 2011.)

Finding Fossils with Remote Sensing

November 6, 2014November 4, 2014 by Rebecca Maxwell

In the field of paleontology, finding fossils is often a substantial undertaking. Researchers usually have to assemble crews of up to 15 people, each one … Read more

Instructions from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan on how to download its 3D terrain maps to print.

3D Maps for the Blind

July 9, 2017October 8, 2014 by Rebecca Maxwell

The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) is developing low-cost technology to print 3D tactile maps for the blind.

Using 200 million measurements collected by ESA’s CryoSat mission between January 2011 and January 2014, researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany have discovered that the Antarctic ice sheet is shrinking in volume by 125 cubic kilometres a year. The study, which was published in a paper published on 20 August 2014 in the European Geosciences Union’s Cryosphere journal, also showed that Greenland is losing about 375 cubic kilometres a year

CryoSat Shows Record Loss of Polar Ice

August 16, 2015October 1, 2014 by Rebecca Maxwell

Scientists concerned about climate change are closely monitoring the thickness of polar sea ice. For many years, ice cover has been deemed a significant gauge … Read more

Mapping the Outbreaks of Diseases

September 23, 2014 by Rebecca Maxwell

In August of 2014, the World Health Organization declared a public emergency in response to the growing number of Ebola cases that have struck several … Read more

Create Your Own Mental Maps with MindRider Helmets

September 9, 2014 by Rebecca Maxwell

Biking is an enjoyable way to not only exercise but to commute around town. On the other hand, riding a bike can be a stressful … Read more

EarthCube Data Initiative

August 8, 2014 by Rebecca Maxwell

Improvements in technology have led to the wide dissemination of information. As long as you have a computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can access a … Read more

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