Fire Detection by Remote Sensing Mapping

This is a kml image from the USDA Forest Service's remote sensing application center. The MODIS Active Fire Mapping Program makes available images depicting the current and historical fire detections, current large incident locations, and fire weather forecasts of the United States. This map shows the fire activity detected in the last 12hrs (red), last 12 to 24hrs (orange) and 6 days previous to last 24 hours (yellow) for 7-2-09. With a click on an individual dot indicator is information on latitude, longitude, dates, times, sensors and sources. The website is located at http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/wms.php

The Changing Shape of the Earth

Over the last decade, scientists have been trying to figure out why the shape of the Earth and it's gravity field have changed. The reasoning behind the shift is due to global warming of course. The melting of the sub-polar ice and the redistribution of mass away from the poles has caused a bulging around the equator creating an oblated shpere shape. The picture demonstrates the differences in the historical shape of the planet and the current oblateness that it has now.

The Lumpy Planet

This is a gravity map of the planet taken by the a pair of American and German satellites. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, also known as GRACE, has mapped the varying gravity patterns of the Earth created by the uneven distribution of mass around the Earth. An uneven distribution that is caused by ocean currents, mountain ranges and even groundwater.

Topsy-Turvy

In talking about upside down maps this week, I thought this one was appropriate. I think the added shake up of a Pacific Ocean / Australia centered map is refreshing for my tired and trained U.S. / Atlantic Ocean centered eyes.

Connectivity

This view of the world shows the connectivity and concentration of the world's economic activity (in hours and days). In contrast, it also emphases those regions of the world that are the most isolated. With all this talk about over population, it's good to know where there might be some room left. The intensity of the exchanges between areas are symbolized by the density of the blue lines. I have to admit I am a sucker of a visually stimulating map. The colors and contrast
are really dynamic in this view.

16th Century World Map

This 16th Century map of the Old World is a beautiful map and a refreshing view of the world. It was created in 1581 by Heinrich Bunting, a theology professor from Nuremburg. With the Americas represented by only a small piece of land in the corner, it focuses on the land of the times, Europe, Asia and Africa with Jerusalem in the middle. It's so simplistic, yet feels so complete and satisfying. Maybe it's the artistic aspect of this 3 leaf map, but I don't even mind the missing land masses or the lack of specificity. In a world full of endless details, it eases the mind to look at a map that is so unencumbered and beautiful. As I get older, I find myself seeking the simple.

Topographic Map of Florida's Coast Line

This is a topographical map of the coast line of Florida. It depicts the areas of our coast line that would be most vulnerable to a rise in sea levels due to climate changes. Seeing that most of the coast line and much of the in-land areas in the south are already at sea level, even the slightest rise in the global sea level could be devastating to the residents of South Florida.