EVS-Islands

Raivavae Atoll - Digital Globe Image in Google Earth

Raivavae is a gorgeous atoll located in the South Pacific. It is also imaged by Digital Globe's satellite. I love the tour function within Google Earth (GE) - plot a path, control the speed, altitude and direction. With that in mind I decided to take a shoreline tour of Raivavae Atoll. The tour's focus is the shoreline of the central island, the high island. So let's go exploring!

First you need to download the tour. It is in KML format and is called RaivavaeAtoll.kml. You must have GE installed, open the Raivavae file and it will load into an area called Temporary Place, located in sidebar. Prior to running the tour setup Tools to tour at a nice speed.

Google Earth Options - 3D View Tab

Google Earth Options - Touring Tab

Set up your 3D View tab and Touring Tab as the above to images show.

Raivavae Atoll - Places Sidebar

Open the Raivavae Atoll file, select the Central Island Shoreline Tour folder. Uncheck the file and the irritating placemarks will not appear. Now put some romantic music on, set back, select the tour button and enjoy the Raivavae shoreline.

view Raivavae Atoll on Google Maps

Enjoy!

Labels: Digital Globe, Google Earth, Raivavare Atoll, tour

Posted by Mr Minton at 4/28/2007 03:37:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

This is going to be my last project for awhile. I need a break for a few weeks from the demands of creating unique maps, researching and posting information about my projects. I have been spending way too much time with my PC and not enough time with the people I love.

Enough said.

Now about Egmont Islands. I feel this map is exquisite. It marks the first time I've mapped coral heads. They were a challenge to digitize and map, but ultimately they turned out nice. The vegetation layers were approximately mapped. All of the different layers of this map were well done. This map is useful at scales as large as 1:12,500 to 1:6,250.

Just a brief note on the recent history of this group of islands. They are part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The most well-known island within the BIOT is Diego Garcia. Egmont Islands, located 60-kms from Diego Garcia, at one time had a population of 60-people. Today, the Egmont Islands are uninhabited. There is a remnant coconut plantation on the three larger islands. Eventually, it is hoped that the islands will revert back to their natural state. That is one of the alleged reasons the indigenous population was removed from all of the islands in BIOT. A judge in England has since ruled that the forced removal was illegal and if the original inhabitants want to return to their island homes, they can. However, when they try to return, they are turned away by the major leasee operating out of Diego Carcia - the United States military.

I am not sure there is a mutually agreeable solution. The US military will keep unwanted inhabitants away from these islands as long as they deem it necessary. In the meantime, these pristine islands are gradually reverting back to their natural state. Good for them, bad for the Chagossians.

view Egmont Islands on Google Maps

Enjoy!

Labels: atoll, BIOT, Digital Globe, Indian Ocean, Landsat, map

Posted by Mr Minton at 4/18/2007 11:15:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Cupressus Guadalupenses - Guadalupe Island Cypress Tree

This is about counting trees. Not just any trees, but Critically Endangered Cupressus Guadalupenses trees, according to the IUCN, Conifers Division. And this is about counting trees using Digital Globe imagery found in Google Earth. And, finally, this is about counting trees and placing their location and characteristics into a database that feeds into a vector map of Guadalupe Island.

So let's get started.

Slide-1) The first image shows the entire island. The island is 34-kms by 11-kms and is a high island with elevations in excess of 1200-meters. The lower elevations are desert like, whereas the higher elevations receive abundant moisture from rain and frequent fog. It is in these higher elevations that we find the Cupressus Guadalupenses. This post will focus on two of the larger groves of Cypress trees located above and to the west of the island's center.

Slide-3) The area calculations are derived from my vector map of the island. Using DG imagery and Marplot mapping software, I digitized and mapped the shoreline and the stands of Cypress trees I could easily identify.

Slides-4,5 and 6) Let us look at the southern grove at a scale of 1:12,500. An accurate area boundary can be digitized at this level of resolution. Slide 6 is a ground-level view of the Cypress grove from a distance of perhaps 1-km.

Slides 7 and 8) These images display the benefit of hi-res DG imagery when it comes to flora identification and inventory. Single trees are easily discernable. To the trained eye, individual trees could be identified. Their color and foliage would permit health assessment. Dead trees, both standing and toppled. could be inventoried as well.

Slides 9 and 10) The northern grove has a greater density of trees. The same assessments could be conducted here as well as in the southern grove.

Currently, using Marplot, my name field for each tree would contain data unique to that specific tree. The database creation is a chore, but done once, anyone could maintain it. This sort of database, anchored to a vector map, would be invaluable to all of those with an interest in the preservation of these Critically Endangered trees.

view Guadalupe Island on Google Maps

Enjoy!

Labels: Cypress, Digital Globe, Google Earth, Guadalupe Island, island, Marplot

Posted by Mr Minton at 4/12/2007 10:35:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Eiao Island - Landsat ETM+ and Digital Globe Hi-Res

From Landsat (left panel) to Digital Globe Hi-Res (right panel).

Eiao Island - Marplot Map Original and Improved

From EVS precision shoreline extracted from a cloud-obscured Landsat ETM+ image to EVS precision shoreline extracted from a cloud-free Digital Globe Hi-Res image.

HAPPY ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

EVS-ISLANDS

At 1415 April 2, 2007 my blogsite became one year old. It consists of 296 posts covering a wide variety of topics, most providing details of islands scattered throughout the world.

My mapping skills have improved. I began mapping shorelines only. Yet, I quickly moved to including more and more details. Now, my maps contain upwards of 16-layers of information.

Anytime I mapped a high island, elevation contours were beyond my expertise. Now, using SRTM elevation data and Global Mapper contour-creation module, my maps include elevation contours.

My visitors keep coming back, just under 20,000 this first year. They come from GIS and "arm-chair-traveller" backgrounds. They come from the energy, education, environmental, governmental and private sectors of society. They live in over 152 countries. And they view 100+ pages a day. They seldom criticize and often encourage. Occassionally, they ask to use my data and I always say, "Yes.".

I look forward to another year filled with many more discoveries.

Thanks for your support!

view Eiao Island on Google Maps

Enjoy!

Labels: Digital Globe, EVS, Global Mapper, island, Landsat, map, SRTM

Posted by Mr Minton at 4/03/2007 06:31:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Dar es Salaam - Left Panel (1:12,500) / Right Panel (1:6,250)

I create Enhanced Vector Shorelines (EVS) from images at scales between 1:12,500 to 1:6,250. A solid representation of the shoreline can be determined. There are features that one cannot distinguish, but the shoreline is not one of those. However, if one wanted to digitize a shoreline with a very high degree of confidence, hi-res imagery is needed.

Dar es Salaam - Digital Globe Image From Google Earth (1:12,500)

Using the above imagery, shoreline questions are quickly resolved. Where Landsat ETM+ (first image) is free for the downloading, Digital Globe Hi-Res imagery is partially free. If you want to make maps with their Google sponsered images, you can as long as your work is not-for-profit. If you want to earn a buck, you will need to make arrangements with DG. If you require unique imagery, the cost is between $400 up to $1,500. Them is some big bucks for us little folks.

I understand their need to control their images. DG had to pay lots of up-front money before they could begin marketing their products. And their traditional customer base of government, military and big businesses, all with deep pockets, find their prices reasonable. But, how about us little folks?

I have found that the folks at DG are gracious and will work hard to find a way to accomodate your request. And their supply of hi-res images to Google Earth is unprecidented. But, again, wouldn't it be nice to make a buck off of a map produced from their Google Earth sponsered images? Yes, it would!

view Dar Es Salaam TZ on Google Maps

Enjoy!

Labels: Digital Globe, digitize, EVS, Landsat, mapping

Posted by Mr Minton at 4/02/2007 06:16:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I am a long time user of both WVS (World Vector Shorelines) and GSHHS (Global Self-consistent, Hierarchical, High-resolution Shoreline) vector map files. They are both drawn at a scale of 1:250,000. Beginning with WVS map files over 4-years ago, I quickly ran into frustrations as I attempted to convert vector lines into vector polygons. WVS has many inherent issues that make this transformation difficult. I learned of GSHHS and set about to replace my WVS map files. However, GSHHS requires a conversion into ARC Ungenerate format (the format I work with) and is Pacific centered. I managed to have the file converted and transformed into Greenwich centered and I started working with GSHHS map files. I appreciated the fact that I had the "best" free complete worldwide vector map coverage. But something was missing. Using Space Shuttle imagery, I found that GSHHS was too coarse and Shuttle imagery had to be georectified.

I then discovered Landsat ETM+2000 mosaics. They were free. One needed sufficient time and modem speed and this excellent base imagery could be yours. I spent one summer two years ago and I now have all of the coverage for world shorelines. I produced my first vector map from Landsat ETM+ and compared it to the WVS/GSHHS shorelines. The difference is dramatic!

EVS (polygon) Compared to GSHHS (Black Line)

After that mapping experience, I now use GSHHS produced maps only for broad area coverage (1:500,000 and above). I've seen the promised land and I can't settle for anything less!

My quest is to produce an Enhanced Vector Shoreline (EVS) World Map using a collaborative approach consisting of a trained team of 100+ map makers. They will be trained to digitize

How To Make An EVS Map

shorelines following a rigorous protocol, to include all features unique to this highly dynamic environment. Each individual will be responsible for either a portion, single or multiple ETM+ mosaic(s). They will digitize all assigned shorelines found on their Landsat mosaic, using a carefully developed criteria and procedure. Their finished vector map files will be evaluated and corrected by a quality assurance team of professional geographers (volunteers). Finally, the finished product (1:100,00 scale and better) will be compiled and made available to all potential users at no cost.

The construction of the EVS Worldwide map will be done as a non-profit project. The cost of development, implementation and final product support will be covered by donations of cash, software and computer hardware from both public and private organizations and/or grants that will enable this team to: 1) Introduce the EVS Worldwide Mapping Project to the target group of potential participants - highly motivated high school and college students from the America's, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia/Oceania. 2) Select and train the team of digitizers/mapmakers. 3) Implement the communication system to move Landsat mosaic images, transfer digitized pre-processed vector map files, provide for daily contact and easily facilitate the processing of a completed Enhanced Vector Shoreline map file. 4) Take all of the processed vector map files and combine them into a single world map product.

Ideally, this project will have worldwide participation. It will be a mapping effort by a worldwide community of dedicated mappers. Each participant, upon completion of their assigned portion of the project, will receive a laptop computer loaded with GIS software as tangible compensation for their efforts. The same one they used in compiling their respective portion of the project. More importantly, they will have received consistent, quality training and practical experience in the "gentle" art of map making. From this group will come the next generation of map makers, trained and experienced.

This project will take from one to two years to complete the world shoreline at EVS precision. As the completed EVS World Map is broadly disseminated, new layers of information will be required. This is where the project is transformed into a for-profit enterprise, as these desired layers will be completed at a fair-market value. And what team better to accomplish this next phase than the original members of the EVS mapping team (highly motivated, trained and experienced map makers). The creation and integration of additional layers of useful information will engage this team in a highly profitable enterprise for years to come.

EVS World Map will become the default worldwide map for years to come.

Mine is the vision. Now, I need the team and the funding. Any takers?

P.S. - Hi-Res Imagery provides shoreline coverage for much of the world. If this imagery were made available, the digitized shoreline precision could be tremendously enhanced. Would a company such as Digital Globe make their imagery available for a worldwide shoreline mapping project? Perhaps. To be the company that helps to fund and sponser this effort is a public relations coup.

Labels: Digital Globe, digitize, EVS, GSHHS, Landsat, WVS

Posted by Mr Minton at 3/29/2007 06:50:00 AM | Permalink

If you follow my posts, you will know that Eiao Island has been mapped a few times before. Once using a hybrid series of Landsat and WRS images and another time using SRTM data. It was a good effort, but there was a problem with clouds obscuring a portion of the shoreline.

Using Digital Globe HiRes imagery with 0% cloud cover, Eiao Island has been definitively mapped. Not only is the shoreline mapped with exquisite detail, as you can tell with the 1:8,750 scale map and image, but vegetation is accurately plotted.

Now to explain the title of this post, Don't Blow This Island Up!. Eiao Island was selected and explored by the French Nuclear Agency and French military as the next Pacific test site for nuclear devices. I believe the plan was to drill into the island and ignite nuclear weapons.

Hasn't this island had it's fair share of troubles. Well intended sailors and erstwhile settlers released pigs, goats, cattle and sheep. These critters have eaten much of the native vegetation. Way back when (not sure of the date) the French used Eiao Island as a prison. The prison was finally abandoned and the island reverted back to it's pigs, goats, cattle and sheep.

Now the French want to blow the island up. Eiao Island does not deserve this sort of mistreatment. Fortunately, the island was spared. The French government bowed to world pressure to halt their work to prep this island for nuclear destruction. Still, it is overrun by pigs, goats, cattle and sheep, but the nuclear devices are no longer a threat, for now. Let's hope forever.

view Eiao Island on Google Maps

Enjoy!

Labels: Digital Globe, EVS, feral animals, France, island, Marplot, Marquesas, nuclear weapons, Pacific

Posted by Mr Minton at 3/26/2007 11:19:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Baiquan Liedao (Pai-ch'uan Lieh-tao) (25°58'N., 119°55'E.), lying about 11 miles S of Matsu Liehtao, consists of two islands and several islets and rocks.

Dongquan Dao (Tung-chu Tao) (25°58'N., 119°58'E.), the E island of the group, is 114m high and precipitous; islets and dangers lie within 0.75 mile NW and 1 mile NE of the island.

A light is shown from a round tower on the NE end of the island and a signal operates from the tower.

Xiquan Dao (Hsi-chu Tao) (25°59'N., 119°56'E.), the W island of the group, is 191m high. Its summit consists of three rounded hummocks, on the center and highest of which is a boulder; the SW slopes of the ridge are strewn with sand and show white in misty weather when little else of the island is visible.

P'o-lang Shih, 16m high, lies at the outer end of a rocky ridge which extends 0.5 mile SW from the W point of the island; this rock and a 13m high rock on the ridge are prominent. Sand banks, with charted depths of 5.4 to 10m, extend up to 4 miles SW of Hsi-chu Tao.

Caution.—A prohibited area, which may be fouled by fishing stakes, lies about 4 miles SE of Tung-chu Tao. (SD Pub-157)

view Pai-Ch'uan Lei-Tao on Google Maps

Enjoy!

Labels: China, Digital Globe, EVS, island, Landsat, Marplot, Pacific, Taiwan

Posted by Mr Minton at 3/23/2007 01:36:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Pulau Romang Island Group

I've been working on this group of islands for the past few weeks. All of the layers of information are digitized. This week I will bring the digitized files into Marplot and construct my map. After the map is complete, I will create contours. Finally, I will publish the completed images.

Improved Rapa Island Shoreline and Contours

This project is also in the final stages. I discovered Digital Globe hi-res imagery on Google Earth covering most of the island. The improved shoreline is complete. I will create as many additional layers of information as the imagery will allow. The western portion of the island is cloud covered. DG does have a cloud-free image. Maybe they will let me use it? Unfortunately the SRTM data covering the island has large voids that I will have to extrapelate the course of the contours. I will need to find a reasonable topo of the island (fat chance!) or do my best guess-timation of the missing contours. It should be a challenge.

Cabrits NP Dominica Island

This is part of a viewer's senior project. You all know that I do work for free. If it is non-commercial, within my abilities and the time-frame is mutually agreeable, I'll create an EVS precision project for you to use. It turned out this area has Digital Globe imagery to work from. Consequently, the land use layers were detailed and complex. The SRTM data had a void that I had to guess-timate the contours. For the purposes of this student's project. the time constraints and the fact that I was working in uncharted areas of expertise, the guess-timate method was sufficent. I worked on this project off and on for over two weeks and am pleased with my efforts.

Other projects being worked on are Lindesfarne Island, UK and The Three Maria's located off the western coast of Mexico.

So many projects and not enough time.

Enjoy!

Labels: Digital Globe, digitize, EVS, Global Mapper, Google Earth, map, Marplot, SRTM

Posted by Mr Minton at 3/19/2007 06:06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

This is a very popular series of images taken from an earlier post. Making a map from Google Earth imagery, more precisely, from Digital Globe (DG) imagery found in Google Earth is detailed in the above image collection. If you are fortunate enough to have your specific area of interest covered in DG's hi-res imagery, you can construct an exquisite vector map using it while in Google Earth Plus. GE Plus is the $20 per year version of Google's popular earth-viewing software. Within the software is the capability to construct rudimentary maps. I use GE Plus to construct highly detailed shorelines and land use areas of some of my project islands. I call these shorelines HRVS or Hi-Res Vector Shorelines.

The "How To Digitize" is displayed in the set of images that accompany this post. The process is simple and the vectors constructed can be directly imported into most popular mapping packages. Using a free translater tool, GE Path, KML files can be imported into MS Exel where one can easily create ARC Ungenerate format vector mapping files. These vector files can be imported into many other less well-known mapping packages, including my personal favorite, Marplot.

Enjoy!

Labels: Digital Globe, digitize, GE Path, Google Earth Plus, hi-res imagery, HRVS, Marplot, vectors

Posted by Mr Minton at 3/14/2007 06:17:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

This island is located off of the coast of Oman. At first glance it appears to be nothing more than a desert island that affords a difficult existence to it's inhabitants. As you zoom in, an airbase shows up at the northern end of the island. To the west of the airfield is a small town. One more zoom in and the airfield is now quite distinct. It turns out the airbase was built and used by the RAF during the waning years of colonialism. The RAF retained possession for some time, well into the 70's, the base was being used by RAF pilots. During the 80's and 90's the base was used by RAF Omani, RAF and USAF. Today it is an important staging base of operation for missions into Iraq and even as far away as Afghanistan. The website, Global Security, has an informative article on Masirah. There are a couple of other links that provide detail information about the island. One by a person that visited the island recently and the other by a group of freelance explorers that gives thorough information about two recent trips to the island.

What initially looked rather innocent and unimportant, turned out to be just the opposite. Islands are funny brutes. You think you've got them all figured out and then they fool you. What should be an out-of-the-way island inhabited by fishermen, is a staging area for the war in Iraq. Go figure!

I used Landsat imagery for the majority of my mapping efforts, but did use Digital Globe imagery to complete the newer features along the coast and at the airfield. The ground cover is classified as EVS Land Bare. I did not map the coast of Oman. If that coast fascinates you, check out the Landsat imagery. It shows the Omani coast.

Enjoy!

Labels: Digital Globe, EVS, Google, Indian Ocean, island, Landsat, map, Oman, RAF, RAFO, USAF

Posted by Mr Minton at 3/06/2007 12:28:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Guadalupe Island - Landsat Image N-11_25_2000 (1:200,000)

During the later part of December 2006, I worked on the Guadalupe Island project. I began with a Landsat image. After a quick, yet thorough, inspection, I determined that the Landsat image was not satisfactory for an EVS quality project. First, and foremost, far too many clouds obscured the island.

Guadalupe Island - Digital Globe Image From Google Earth (1:200,000)

So, I visited Google Earth and found a great 1-meter resolution Digital Globe image. I used it to digitize my various layers of information. Around the same time, I began using SRTM data to construct contours for many of my completed projects. I used the following SRTM data to construct contours for Guadalupe Island.

Guadalupe Island - SRTM Image N29W119 and N28W119 (1:200,000)

From these images, using Global Mapper, contours were quickly and easily generated. I knew Global Mapper had a 3D feature and if you have loaded the proper data, SRTM for example, 3D images can be easily rendered. I had never used it.

Guadalupe Island - TerraMetrics Image Loaded Into Global Mapper (1:200,000)

First you need the image you will drape over the SRTM data. This image must be loaded on top of the SRTM data. So I loaded the Digital Globe images of Guadalupe Island into Global Mapper. All four of the images were at a scale of 1:62,000.

Global Mapper - Select 3D Option

To select the 3D option, you merely point and click.

Global Mapper - A 3D View of Guadalupe Island

And there you have it - a 3D view of Guadalupe Island. Needless to say, you can control the vertical exaggeration, ocean depth and other aspects of the image. The image can be tilted, twisted, zoomed and other manuvers. You can snap a picture at each juncture.

Guadalupe Island 3D View From SW to NE

This view shows a deficiency of the SRTM data. If something obscured the elevation data gathered by the Shuttle, you are left with what is called a void. There is data available that attempts to fill the voids with reliable alternative elevation data. A couple of areas along the western side of Guadalupe are actually voids. The elevation data at those voids are greatly exagerated. As I gather more SRTM data, I will replace the SRTM voids with SRTM with filled voids.

Guadalupe Island - 3D View From S to N

Guadalupe Island - 3D View Detail of Cypress Groves

The 3D views are easy to make and quite informative in the elevation details they display. It makes 1-meter resolution imagery come alive.

Enjoy!

Labels: 3D, contours, Digital Globe, elevation, Global Mapper, Google Earth, island, Landsat, SRTM

Posted by Mr Minton at 3/03/2007 08:40:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Kingman Reef is a US Minor Island Possession. Reefs are curious structures. If they qualify as above water islands, they enable a country to control a 200-NM Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and that is alot of potential resources to control. If the reef is a below-water, it is merely a hazard to navigation and an interesting spot for scientists and surfers. Kingman has a small strip of cobbled land that rises 1-meter above sea level. During any sort of stormy conditions, Kingman Reef is below water or, at best, a reef awash. However, during calm weather, Kingman Reef supports a sliver of an island making it EEZ elgible.

In 1983, President Ronald Regan declared Kingman Reef and Palmyra Island an EEZ of the United States. As stated above, EEZs represent potential riches for the country controlling them. The last image in the above pictobrowser shows the results of a USGS project to catalog the EEZs of the United States using GLORIA sidescan-sonar imagery. It shows the sea floor in the area of Kingman and Palmyra. All of this area is controlled by the United States. We are not alone in our quest to control underwater real estate. All nations with access to a shoreline are in the EEZ business. Even if they don't work the real estate, others will pay them dearly to mutually benefit.

Finally a comment about my image that compares a World Vector Shoreline (WVS) and my own Enhanced Vector Shoreline (EVS) of Kingman Reef. One of us is off, way off! And it isn't me! The WVS shows a reef that is about 28-miles N/S by 60-miles E/W. My EVS depiction of Kingman Reef shows it to be 5.5-miles N/S by 9-miles E/W. My product was created using Landsat ETM+ imagery whereas the WVS was created off of God knows what, by who knows what. The WVS vectors are grossly enlarged and misplotted

Now for the "wasted money" part. I think it is ironic that an enlarged misplot could cost money. I looked at cataloged imagery held by Digital Globe. It turns out that someone, probably NIMA or Navy, had the enlarged WVS area imaged. Kingman Reef is covered by three Digital Globe images. The Digital Globe sequence of images encompassing the misplotted WVS Kingman Reef consists of at least 60 images. At about $1,500 an image a big chunk of deep ocean was studied. The imagery alone would have cost $90,000. It appears someone commissioned the satellite imaging of a vector misplot! Somebody spent good money to determine the extent of bad mapping. Seems like bad business to me.

Enjoy!

Labels: atoll, Digital Globe, EVS, island, Landsat, Line Islands, map, Marplot, Pacific, reef

Posted by Mr Minton at 2/18/2007 05:30:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

For the past 3-days I've been lost in the world of DCW - Digital Chart of the World (aka VMAP). I know more about this grand mapping monument than I should ever know. It is based on ONC 1:1,000,000 scale military base maps that are based on some pretty old data (WW II and beyond). The ONCs were constructed for pilots to scan the earth as they are flying for identifiable features. ESRI took these maps, back in the early 1990s, and digitized them. From this data they created the Digital Chart of the World. Now let's fast forward to today.

I am currently teaching 6th graders about African geography. The region of Africa that is always a challenge is West Africa - Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin. So I dutifully teach them and they dutifully learn all about African countries. In the process, curious soul that I am, I decided to study the available mapping of a small African country - Togo. One of my favorite mapping websites is Relief Web, a UN affiliated group that reports on people in need and helps to coordinate relief efforts, thus the name. They have a mapping library that is very interesting. So I wandered into their map library and snagged a few Togo country maps - one produced by the CIA (the bland one) and the other produced by the French government (the colorful one). The CIA map is a relatively old map, but the French product claims to be produced in 2006.

Curious soul that I am, I load the French map into Global Mapper, georectify it and digitize the road network for Togo. It didn't take long, maybe an hour. I imported this Togo road network into Marplot and compared it to the DCW Togo road network. You know the answer - it was the same road network, the DCW stuff.

And than it hit me. Almost every small scale base map found today still uses DCW layers of information. Some of these layers (elevation, rivers, etc.) will always be useful. Some of the layers, like roads, were poorly plotted on the ONCs originally and the same misplots are still being used today. Just overlay DCW roads on top of the appropriate Landsat ETM+ imagery and you will see DCW roads seldom, if ever, match the actual roads. Landsat ETM+ could be used to correct some of these transportation misplots, but it is tough to do at it's typical pixel resolution. The 1-meter resolution imagery is the ticket! (Are you listening Digital Globe?) I know it is being used to create up-to-date road maps in large cities, but it should be used to create the NEW and IMPROVED DCW. What a cartographic coup for the entreprenurial company (Are you listening Digital Globe?) that would sponser this effort!

And that was my tangent! What the heck am I messing around with Togo road networks and DCW when I want to make maps of islands. For 3-days I've been lost in DCW, Togo and off on a tangent. Oh, well, perhaps this evening I'll get back to my primary mission, island mapping, and leave my DCW / Togo tangent alone.

A word of warning - Tangents are alluring, but typically take you where you need not go. Stick to your target path. It's where you want to go.

Enjoy!

Labels: DCW, Digital Globe, ESRI, Global Mapper, Marplot, Relief Web, tangents, Togo

Posted by Mr Minton at 2/05/2007 05:49:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Okino-tori-shima - GE Image

Okino-tori-shima - Map

Okino-tori Shima (20˚25'N., 136˚05'E.) is located about 375 miles SW of Minami-Io Shima. It was formerly known as Parece Vela or Douglas Reef. This coral reef extends about 2.8 miles in an E to W direction, is about 0.8 mile wide, and encloses a reef-encumbered lagoon. A number of small islets and above-water coral heads, 1 to 3m high, lie on the reef. Two small towers stand near the W extremity of the reef. It is a Japanese possession.

Caution.—A below-water reef, with estimated depths from 2 to 3m, has been reported to extend about 3 miles NW from the W part of Okino-tori Shima. Numerous tide rips were observed in the vicinity.

Breakers extend 0.5 mile off the E and W ends of Okino-tori Shima. It has been reported that breaking seas have been observed about 1 mile N of the W extremity of Okino-tori Shima, but were not observed in 1997.

Okino-tori Shima and the reported reefs should be given a wide berth, as there has been no recent survey. Boat passages have been reported on the SE and NE sides of the reef, but they have not been examined.

A large platform, about 20m high and supported by six rows of supporting pillars oriented approximately E and W, stands close E of the small towers. This platform, which appears abandoned, was reported (1997) visible on radar at a distance of 20 miles.

Another off-lying danger was reported in 1971. It appeared to be a coral-like shoal breaking in position 20˚18'N, 135˚28'E, bearing 259˚, 36 miles from Okino-tori Shima. In 1988, it was reported that a vessel transiting the area failed to see this danger. Vessels are urged to exercise caution when navigating within the vicinity. (SD Pub-158)

Proposed 200-NM Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Wikipedia has an excellent article about this reef that claims to be an island. Why would Japan spend in excess of $600 million on this little reef? Because they needed it to have land above water. So they built up the three small reefs awash areas and transformed them into circular islands with strong rock reenforced shorelines. They basically fashioned three artificial islands to bolster their claim that this "island" allows them to claim an additional 200-NM EEZ around the island. As the Wikipedia article states the area has a potential for oil, among other resources.

Oh, the tangled web countries weave to bolster their claims for land. So goes the way of nations.

Enjoy!

Labels: atoll, Digital Globe, EVS, Google Earth, island, Japan, Pacific, reef

Posted by Mr Minton at 1/23/2007 06:15:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Let's give this Wikimapia a try. First we will take a look at Little Coco Island from my previous post. I went into Wikimapia and created the box and information. I selected to post the map to my blog. Wikimapia creates the iframe code. I copied the lines of code into my post and the map appears. Looks okay to me. Plus, the imagery is from Digital Globe giving one high resolution from which to explore in great detail.

You should be able to select the above link and it will take you to the post at Wikimapia. And it works. Cool!

The registration is easy, takes about 1-minute. You can begin either placing posts to the map or correcting other posts. Or like me, you can use it to give your readers greater access to imagery.

Now, I know that many readers have already discovered this nice addition to your blogging experience, but for those of you that have not . . .

Enjoy!

Labels: China, Digital Globe, Google Earth, Indian, island, Myanmar, Wikimapia

Posted by Mr Minton at 1/16/2007 07:00:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Makin Island - Google Earth-Digital Globe Image (1-75,000)

I will finish the title sentence - "If Digital Globe's Imagery Was Free They Would Cease to Make Money." Okay, I know that Digital Globe has to spend big bucks before they are ever able to snag their exquisite imagery, process, archive and finally process it for sale and delivery. I know, but I can dream can't I?

As you all know, I am a school teacher by day. And I might add, a modestly paid one at that. It is my choice, because I am able to fundamentally influence lives in a positive way and I value that opportunity. But what about making maps of islands?

I have had two enjoyable conversations with Digital Globe representatives. They both patiently explained the image ordering process and associated costs. For between $450 up to $1400, I could purchase a TIFF image covering a minimum of 25 sq miles of a target island. I don't have a fraction of that cost. I am just a humble soul that loves making the best maps of islands I can possibly make. I am grateful for Google Earth's initiative to bring all of us little folks the world. Not just the Landsat ETM+ world, but a world with gorgeous Digital Globe imagery scattered throughout. It is so cool! This 60-centimeter imagery shows us a world of exciting possibilities.

Oh, yeah. I wonder about all of that other archived imagery. Those many other images that allow one to view a cloud-free island by combining a number of images to create a workable mosaic of an island.

So, here is my offer, Digital Globe - I will take your TIFF imagery of islands and mosaic them to create a cloud-free master image of that island. I will use this mosaic to create the most accurate map of the island available. I will continue to make my maps available to anyone for free. I will return your TIFF imagery or destroy it, you make the call. I will use my copy of the island mosaic for my map project only. I will return the master mosaic to you for you to use as a low-cost imagery product.

The up-side for me - I get 60-centimeter resolution imagery to construct my island maps from. Digital Globe gets a cloud-free mosaic of an island that they can productize and distribute through their many distributors. I am sure they would also accrue a generous tax write-off, as I am a non-profit using my final map products for the benefit and education of my reading audience.

Sounds good to me!

Jill Smith, CEO of Digital Globe - Lets do this deal! Drop me a line and we can make it happen.

Labels: Digital Globe, Google Earth, Jill Smith CEO, TIFF

Posted by Mr Minton at 1/11/2007 04:12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

More on this "Island For Sale" business. I honestly had no idea that two of the islands within this group located north of Grenada are for sale. I selected the group as a project target because the imagery in Google Earth was high resolution. I am half-way through the digitizing and I do an Internet scan for information about these small islands and two of them show up on Private Islands Online. The two largest islands within the group are on the market. The largest, Ronde Island (2,000 acres) you can have for $70,000,000 and the southern-most island, Caille Island (400 acres) is listed at $18,000,000.

I live in San Diego CA and I am spoiled when it comes to our shoreline - it is public land. You can live up next to the beach but you don't get to own the beach. I like that. Property that would be the play-ground of the rich and famous is the play-ground of us all. So, where do I stand on ownership of an island. I'll let you know at a later date.

Enjoy!

PS - I will post more images on the Ronde Island Group. The project is still underway and might be completed today or tomorrow.

Labels: Carribean, Digital Globe, Global Mapper, Google Earth, Grenada, island, map, Marplot

Posted by Mr Minton at 1/10/2007 06:51:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Visit Jane Resture's website that contains extensive discussions of Makin Island to include it's history during WWII. Another site that contains WWII information about the battle of Makin Island is the American Forces in Actions, the Battle for Makin Island. If this island is of interest you will find the data informative.

This is the result of about 12-hours of digitizing, along with 2-NFL football games and numerous other interruptions. It was probably a 4-hour project without the distractions, but frankly that is life. We indulge our passions while encountering life's many demands. Was the 12-hours worth it? Sure! The map is well done and I am finished with this project.

Enjoy!

Labels: atoll, Digital Globe, Gilberts, Google Earth, island, Kiribati, Marplot, Pacific

Posted by Mr Minton at 1/08/2007 12:22:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

These islands are located just outside of the Dardanelles, a strategically important strait controlling access to Istanbul and ultimately the Black Sea. Many ships transporting a number of resources pass within close proximity to these islands. Currently, the islands are used as tourist destinations. The small islands to the north, Karayer Adalari, are located even closer to the entrance to the Dardanelles.

Directly opposite the eastern shore of the island is the reputed location of the ancient city of Troy. These islands were used during the Trojan Wars, according to historians of the period.

I will aim you to one web site that claims to be the ultimate Bozca Ada link. It is an informative site for the casual cyber visitors and would be productive for the tourist anticipating a visit.

Enjoy!

PS - This island is also known as Tenedos. However, since Turkey rules, Bozca Ada is the correct name.

Labels: Dardanelles, Digital Globe, EVS, Global Mapper, Google Earth, island, Istanbul, map, Trojan Wars, Troy, Turkey

Posted by Mr Minton at 1/01/2007 11:01:00 PM | Permalink |