GIS and Earth Science

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GIS and Earth Science MEA 493 - 626510 Helena
Mitasova Department of Marine, Earth and
Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State
University, Raleigh, NC
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GIS and the Environment
Monitoring keep an eye on the state of earth
systems using satellites and monitoring stations
(water, ecosystems, urban development,security) A
nalysis and risk assessment find the problem
areas and analyse the possible causes (soil
erosion, groundwater pollution, traffic jams)
Modeling, simulation predict consequences of
human actions and natural processes Planning
and decision support provide information and
tools for better management of natural and
socio-economic resources
H. Mitasova
3
Monthly Precipitation in Tropical South America
1 year cycle
Lots of rain Dry
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Soil horizons
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Groundwater pollutioncreated from 10 year well
data
High pollutant concentrations
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Monthly Nitrogen in Chesapeake Bay one year cycle
High nitrogen concentrations
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Jockeys Ridge evolution
Combining IR-DOQQ, LIDAR and RTK GPS to assess
the change decreasing elevation, extending
towards homes and a road
C
A
B
N
H. Mitasova
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Dune movement based on1998(IR-DOQQ) -
1999(LIDAR) - 2002(RTKGPS)
b
a
c
a
a
b
b
A B
C
change in horiz. distance 1998-1999-2002 a
15m, - 20m b 20m, 20m change in elevation
1999-2002 d - 2m, flattens
change in horiz. distance 1998-1999-2002 a
20m, 25m b 33m, 9m needs 40m to reach road
change in horiz. distance 1998-1999-2002 a
?, 40 m change in elevation
1999-2002 b - 2.6 m! 25.9 23.3m
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Jockeys Ridge 2000 - 2002
A
2000 2002
Minigolf castle
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Jockeys Ridge 1999 visualization
LIDAR-based DEM (1m resolution) IR DOQQ with
modified color, visualized in GRASS5 NVIZ
http//skagit.meas.ncsu.edu/helena/measwork/jocke
ys/poster2b.ps (24MB)
H. Mitasova
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Bald Head Island Evolution
Spatio-temporal elevation USGS NED (30m),
NOAA-USGS LIDAR 1997-2000, 2001-02 RTK GPS (MEAS,
D. Bernstein)
NED
RTK GPS shoreline
LIDAR98
Dec. 2001 Jan. 2002
LIDAR2000
H. Mitasova
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Bald Head Island Renourishment
1998 LIDAR shoreline 1998 2000
LIDAR shoreline 2000 2001, Dec. RTK GPS
shoreline
surface is 1998 LIDAR
H. Mitasova
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Bald Head Island change 1998-2000
Overlayed 1998 and 2000 LIDAR surfaces 5m
resolution rasterized
Interactive cutting planes support slicing
through the overlayed surfaces
H. Mitasova
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Bald Head slope and curvature
Reducing the impact of noise by changing tension
and smoothing
Slope
Profile curvature
1998
1998
2000
2000
H. Mitasova
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Bald Head Island change Dec.-Jan.
January 2002
December 2001
H. Mitasova
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Simulation of landscape processes
Analysis and prediction of water, sediment and
pollutant movement in landscapes. Decision
support in land management, flood and pollution
prevention and disaster management
H. Mitasova
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Water flow over complex terrain
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Sediment flow
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Centennial Campus Development
1993
1998-2001
School
grass
Golf
C B A
C B A
Forest
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Overland Water flow 1993 - future
1993 future
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Storm water and sediment control measures
work in progress
constructed wetland
detention area
check dam/spreader
H. Mitasova
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Multiscale flow simulations
Multiscale simulation of overland water flow
modeling critical areas such as hot spots and
effects of best management practices
H. Mitasova
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Insolation summer and winter solstice
Hofierka 1993
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GIS for Earth Science

• Geographic Information Systems are one of the
  most important new tools we have to make a
  difference in
• real-time response to environmental
  disasters,
• preventing unexpected environmental impacts
• finding the best use for the precious land we
  have
• To learn how to use this unique and exciting
  technology, consider taking

MEA 493r, call number 626510
For more information contact Prof. Kimberley