Thoughts - EO and Mapping Atolls
Kaukura Atoll FP - Landsat Image
Kaukura Atoll FP - Marplot Map
I always visit two of my favorite sites every morning - Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) and Earth Observatory (EO). APOD gives me an "out-of-this-world" image and EO a look at Mother Earth. Both are fascinating websites with long histories on the Internet.
This post is about a May 1, 2001 EO article, Amazing Atolls of the Maldives. It is a four-part article that discusses how wind and waves have shaped these unique coral islands. I like it for it's layman's explanation of coral atolls. These geologic features are truely fragile pieces of real estate. They rest so close to sea level that even the slightest change can threaten their existence.
I have considered mapping the Maldives on more than one occassion. Their complexity both above and below water always intimidated me. The atolls of the South Pacific are less complex and, consequently, they are my primary mapping targets.
My compliments to Abdula Nasser and his map of the Maldives. It is an ambitious effort and looks to be well executed, considering the scale he worked at.
Finally, EO ran another article by John Weier, Mapping the Decline of Coral Reefs, that discusses the challenges faced when mapping these living entities.
Enjoy!
Labels: atoll, EVS, Global Mapper, island, Landsat, map, Marplot, Pacific, Polynesia, Tuamotus
