Lab #8: Station Fire

The Angeles National Forest is a protected area in southern California, within Los Angeles County and near the city of Los Angeles. The forest boasts over 650,000 acres of pristine wilderness that is commonly used recreationally for hiking, swimming, and other activities. The most common vegetation is chaparral, which is part of a fire-adapted ecosystem.

The Station Fire of 2009 in the Angeles National Forest burned over 160,000 thousand acres and resulted in multiple structure losses and two firefighter deaths. It was started by arson on August 16th, and full containment wasn't achieved until October 16th. It is considered as being of unprecedented magnitude for the area, and the 10th largest in California history. Because of it's location relative to the second largest city in the U.S., I decided to examine risk to human life if the fire had continued to spread.

My first diagram shows where the fire occurred in relation to the state of California. For all maps I used the fire boundary data from 9/02/2009 at roughly 1am. I did this because all other boundaries were found within this area, so it was the most accurate boundary for determining the fire's furthest extent.

Because the Station Fire occurred so close to Los Angeles, it seemed imperative that the fire's proximity to major cities be examined. The following map shows all major cities found within twenty miles of the fire. Each city's symbol is color-coded by population number. The map shows that major cities like Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena were all within 10 miles of the fire at it's peak. 

Because cities are not the only areas with human populations, I decided to examine further into how densely populated the areas surrounding the fire are. The map below shows urbanized areas, part of a California compilation of population data by ESRI. I chose to show population density by calculating population per square mile in Los Angeles County. As seen below, the fire crossed into somewhat densely populated areas. Fortunately, the populations below the forest are more sparsely populated than the areas closer to the major cities. Unfortunately, no detailed data for population per square mile of this area could be found by doing a data search online. 

With the information examined, I conclude that the Station Fire had the potential to be devastating to human life and structures. Other research would need to be done to determine the likelihood of that damage, such as vegetative cover, weather patterns, or the rate at which the fire spread. Fortunately, there probably won't be another massive fire in the area for a very long time.

Works Cited

"About the Forest." Angeles National Forest. U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Web. 1 Dec. 2011.
"Angeles National Forest Campgrounds." Campground Directory and National Forest Campgrounds. U.S. National Forest Campgrounds Guide. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. 

Angeles National Forest. Digital image. U.S. Senate. Web. 1 Dec. 2011. 

"GIS Data Downloads." Esri - The GIS Software Leader. ESRI. Web. 1 Dec. 2011. 

"Station Fire." Incident Information System. InciWeb. Web. 1 Dec. 2011. 

Lab#7: U.S. Census

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau collects population data in order to accommodate changing populations in distribution of electoral votes, Congressional seats, and program funding. The three maps I have created represent "Black Alone", "Asian Alone", and "Other Race Alone" respectively. The data displayed is divided by county, and shows the percentages of each demographic ("Black Alone", "Asian Alone", and "Other Race Alone") that is located within each county. The percentage is calculated by taking the county population of each demographic and dividing it by the total county population. The legend shows that the higher the percentage of the particular demographic, the darker the color of the county. Some counties lacked demographic population data, so they are portrayed blank or white.

My overall impressions of GIS thus far are mostly positive. It amazes me how relatively user-friendly ArcGIS software is. As we have progressed in our labs, my completion of tasks in ArcGIS has become much quicker. Some may observe simplicity of programming as a negative trait, as those who perform GIS become less unique in their skills. However, ArcGIS seems to balance that trait with it's wide array of customization options. Thus, it seems that unskilled people can easily learn how to operate ArcGIS software, but it takes understanding of map presentation to make effective maps.

Lab #6: Digital Elevation Models

The following models represent an area near the Utah/Colorado Border. It is a sparsely populated mountainous region. The closest geographical feature is Rat Hole Ridge. I chose this area because its elevations seemed to suggest it would produce interesting and detailed maps.

Coordinate system ID WGS84:  4326

Extent in degrees

Top edge:  39.7477777772351

Bottom edge:  39.2155555549771

Left edge:  -109.612777776813

Right edge:  -108.658055554527

Lab #5: Map Projections

Equal Area Projections

Distance between Washington, D.C. and Kabul, Afghanistan
Mollweide Equal Area Projection: 7,910 miles
Bonne Equal Area Projection: 6,787 miles

Equidistant Projections

Distance between Washington, D.C. and Kabul, Afghanistan
Azimuthal Equidistant Projection: 8,419 miles
Sinusoidal Equidistant Projection: 8,095 miles

Conformal Projections

Distance between Washington, D.C. and Kabul, Afghanistan
Mercator Conformal Projection: 10,074 miles
Stereographic Conformal Projection: 9,911 miles


Map projections are essential to the functional use of geographic information.The earth is not flat, yet it is necessary to be able to observe angles, distances, and areas in more useful two-dimensional formats. Because the ideal functions of a map vary per situation, there is a wide variety of projections used in mapmaking. Three commonly used types of projections are equal area, equidistant, and conformal.


Equal area projections preserve area, and it is represented with equally-sized areas on the globe between the meridians and parallels on the map. This form of representation is important when showing distributions or other items where it is critically important to show equal area. The Mollweide projection is a common form of equal area map, and is often used when it is more important to observe distributions over global area than show accurate shape. The Bonne equal area projection is a less modernly used pseudoconical map. Pseudoconical maps are similar to conical projections except that their meridians are not constrained to straight lines. The distances recorded between Washington, D.C. and Kabul, Afghanistan on the Bonne and the Mollweide exhibit great a difference. Equal area projections are found to be not useful for preserving distance.

Equidistant projections preserve distances extending from a center reference point. This is extremely useful for situations where distance is needed to be calculated from a starting location, such as with air travel from take-off or when conducting seismic work. It is important to acknowledge that reference points are essential for determining distance in this form of projection. Therefore, different types of equidistant projections will display a variation of distances when measuring between the same two locations on the globe. However, if the reference points are similarly located you may close measurements. The azimuthal equidistant projection and the sinusoidal projection are good examples of similar measurements. The sinusoidal only preserves distances along parallels so slight variation will most likely be observed.

Conformal projections preserve local angles. The mercator projection is one of the most common types that is widely used and observed. In the past, the mercator has been useful for navigation. However, this type of projection greatly distorts size and shape of large objects. This occurs because the scale naturally increases as it displays areas from the equator to the north and south pole. Stereographic projections also preserve angles, but are more concerned with preserving the shape of circles on the globe. Distance is often skewed, but depending on reference point close measurements might be observed between two conformal projections. The mercator and the stereographic produced similar but, by no means, accurate measurements.

Lab #4: ArcGIS Tutorial

Potentials and Pitfalls:

After using ArcGIS for the first time, I was shocked at how relatively easy it was to learn basic concepts while having no prior experience in GIS software. I found that many tools were clear and easy to understand without much explanation. I noticed a wide variety of creative options, even while following a step-by-step tutorial. What was also surprising was the amount of different ways to display various forms of data. Even with the varying data and customizations, the end result was a graphic that was very easy to understand.

Without knowing what is expected of GIS software in terms of today's technological limits, it is hard to mention pitfalls except ones that relate to my brief personal experience. The only difficulty I endured happened when I tried to use the program via remote desktop. Each time I made the slightest alteration, as little as using the zoom feature, all of the data layers had to reload. It took as much as an hour for the software to perform larger actions, as I waited patiently watching the "loading" icon so I could continue. I quickly realized that it was ineffective and not going to work.

Using ArcGIS on a computer that carries the software is an entirely different experience. I found that actions were performed quickly and there was little lag. I understand that our first assignment was likely of very basic nature and that it will get more complicated and tasks will need more processing time in the future. However, the ease I experienced shows that even beginners can create informative and effective maps with ArcGIS. However, the high cost of own the program for personal use means it is probably limited to professionals who use it in their field.

Overall ArcGIS seems to be a very effective program in terms of speed and capabilities. The creative options are endless, giving the user a chance to make maps and data attractive and informative. I enjoyed the surprise of being able to produce a graphic with so much information and was extremely pleased with the way it came out.

Lab #3: Neogeography

View Scenic Hiking in Los Angeles in a larger map

Neogeography is highly effective at allowing people with no prior background in map making to communicate information in the form of a map. I was surprised at how easy it was for me to create, design, and share my information in a program with a simple interface, while still having the ability to be creative. It is a very useful tool not only in map-making, but in how we are able to communicate with others.

The pitfalls I encountered pertained mostly to the simplicity of the program. There were quite a few things I wanted to do on the map, but couldn't because "My Places" did not offer enough creative options. For example, I would have liked for the lines showing driving directions to not overlap, or at least appear only when clicked. Instead it becomes hard to tell where the lines are heading when placed on a road shared by multiple routes. I could have drawn out the lines individually, parallel to each other, but I would have been sacrificing the display of directions in word form. Such simplicity of a program is great for conveying basic ideas, but as you try to show more complex matters it becomes limited.

Pitfalls that can be encountered with neogeography in a broader sense can be assumed when taking into account the idea that anyone can display information at their own discretion. This means that a person can create a map portraying misleading or inaccurate information. This makes some forms of neogeography less valid, which ultimately reduces their ability to provide confidence in the information suggested. I see the flaws with neogeography as being relatively harmless because there are still professional map makers that can be relied upon if accuracy is imperative for the particular situation. I  consider neogeography to be a new form of communication between people, not the necessarily the future of GIS. There will always be a need for maps that are highly specific which,  due to complexity, inherently require prior knowledge to create.

Lab #2: Beverly Hills Quadrangle

1. Beverly Hills, CA


2. Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Burbank, Topanga, Hollywood, Venice, Inglewood


3. 1966


4. National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 and North American Datum of 1927


5. 1:24,000


6. a) (5 x 24000)in(1m/100cm) = 1200 m
    b) (24,000 x 5) in(1 mi/63,360 in) = 1.893 m
    c) (1 mi/24,000)(63,360 inch/mi) = 2.64 in
    d) (3 km/24,000)(100,000 cm/km) = 12.5 cm


7. 20 ft


8. a) 118° 26' 18" W, 34° 4' 28" N = 118.438° W, 34.074° N
    b) 118° 27' 27" W, 34° 0' 28" N =118.458° W, 34.008° N
    c) 118° 24' 45" W, 34° 4' 46" N = 118.413° W, 34.0794° N


9. a) 580 ft = 176.78 m
    b) 140 ft = 42.67 m
    c) 640 ft = 195.07 m


10. Zone 11


11. 3,763,000 Easting and 362,000 Northing


12. 1,000,000 sq meters


13. 


14. 14 degrees


15. North to South


16.

Lab #1: Selected Maps from the Internet

Wheeler Survey Map of Yosemite Valley, 1883 in 3-D

 

(Source: Past Times, Past Place: GIS for History)

This map features the Yosemite Valley, drawn in 1883 by cartographers of the Wheeler Survey with government sponsorship. It is considered to be one of the first detailed and accurate maps of the area, using hachuring to show elevation change. I found this map interesting because it's level of detail makes it appear to be a work of art as opposed to an accurate portrayal for reference purposes. The great skill and precision of the cartographers is apparent. Cartography seems to have been a tedious task for early mapmakers, who lacked the technology we have today.

Historical Map of Greek and Phoenician Settlements in the Mediterranean Basin

(Source: University of Texas at Austin. Historical Atlas by William Shepherd)

The historical map above illustrates settlements along the Mediterranean Sea and basin, circa 550 B.C. It focuses on locations belonging to the Ionian, Phoenician, Dorian, and other Greek peoples and color-codes them with a legend. The map, dated in the early 1800s, is based on information collected by historians. Therefore, it is a valid tool for reference that can be used by historians to make conclusions about the time period. I found this map appealing because it seems to have had a lot of background research put into it, even if it wasn't obtained by the cartographer. Also, it shows an area that exists today the way it was populated over two thousand years ago, and the changes and differences between the image and a modern map can be very interesting to examine. Today, most of our knowledge of history is learned through the reading of text. This item shows that a map can be a descriptive visual used to enhance our understanding of various historical events and trends.

Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale Map: Northridge Earthquake 1994

(Source: Worldlywise Wiki)

This map shows the Modified Mercalli Intensity of the Northridge earthquake in 1994. Internet users who experience an earthquake may voluntarily complete a survey on the USGS website that examines the level of shaking that was felt. Their responses are then measured to determine the severity of the quake in terms of damage and shaking, rated on a scale from I-XII. The data is then organized in various ways, such as in maps like the one above. This map was particularly interesting to me because I was living in Northridge at the time of the quake, yet I slept through it. The data indicates that the earthquake was felt enormously in my area, and I now feel fortunate that no one I know was hurt and that our home escaped major damage.