Lab #4 Arc GIS

This week I explored the ArcGIS 10 software and became familiar with what exactly GIS is about. While working through the tutorial, I found that the functions of ArcGIS are relatively simple and are quite useful. GIS is mainly about working with different layers of information to form one cohesive map that brings all of the information together. In this case, the tutorial used information about the effects of expanding an airport. With GIS, I was able to map out which areas were affected by the airport, especially in terms of noise. Looking at the land within the noise contour, I was able to see that most of the land that was affected by the noise was residential. 

Through the tutorial, I also mapped out population density and schools. The map of schools showed that only one would be affected by the noise of airport expansion. The population density map shows how populated certain areas near the airports are. This enables the reader of the map to see which areas that will be affected by the airport have the most people. In addition, the tutorial taught me how to use the editor to add lines, points and polygons to the map. In this case, I added a road (a series of lines and curves), to the map. 

ArcGIS 10 is a very useful software and increases the potential of GIS. This software, and other GIS softwares, make using GIS readily available and relatively easy to use. GIS allows people to create maps that layer different pieces of information on top of each other. Information contained in a map is usually easier to understand than a series of tables. As the importance and potential of GIS grows, it will be easier to convert separate pieces of information into one layered and cohesive map. 

Though GIS is very useful, it can still be improved. Some aspects of GIS are hard to use, and the average person may not understand how to use the software. GIS software needs to continue improving their product and make it user friendly, especially for individuals without experience in GIS. Though some GIS software is inexpensive or free, the best software is very expensive. If GIS software became affordable for the average person, more people could learn how to use it. However, as of now, the software is too expensive and is sometimes difficult to use. Therefore, the average person will not acquaint themselves with GIS software. If a user friendly, inexpensive GIS software was available, more people would want to learn to use it. Neogeography could potentially spread to GIS as well. Eventually, GIS software could be so readily available, that virtually anyone could use it to make maps.

Lab #3 MyMaps- Most Dangerous Vs. Safest Cities

Most Dangerous vs. Safest Cities in United States

View Larger Map
                          Rank            Score
Green--              1-50           (49.35)+          
Turqouise--        51-92         (49.35)-(33.00)  
Purple--             93-130        (33.00)-(15.00) 
Blue--               131-193       (15)-15            
Pink--               194-272        15-58             
Yellow--           273-350       58-126.5          
Red--                351-400       126.5+            


Data Source : http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime/2010/City_crime_rate_2010-2011_hightolow.pdf


This map shows the distribution of cities in the United States based on safeness. The data provided by cqpress lists cities of populations of 75,000 or more in order of rank of crime index. Crime indexes calculated using the number of reported crimes per year per 100,000 people in the city. The crime index is compared to the national average. A score with parentheses is below the national average (safer than average), and a score without parentheses is above the national average. The 50 safest cities are represented by a green point and the 50 most dangerous cities are represented by red points. The remaining colors correspond to the other 300 cities. From safest to most dangerous: turquoise, purple, blue, pink, yellow (blue being the closest to the national average). 


This map shows us several patterns. The most notable pattern is that the red and yellow points (the most dangerous cities) are clustered mostly on the eastern side of the country. The safest cities cluster in Southern California, parts of Texas, and the northeastern states. In he western half of the country, we see clusters of cities in California, but empty space in the rest of the areas. This is because most of these cities have populations less than 75,000. California has its share of dangerous and safe cities. Looking at the top 10 safest and top 10 dangerous cities, there are 3 California cities in each. However, looking in the top 50, California has 7 of the most dangerous and 11 of the safest. 


Neogeography


In recent years, people have had more access to geography. This includes both the ability to read maps and the ability to create maps. neogeography has increased the importance of geography to the average person. With more access to map making, geography has much greater potential. Anyone is able to make their own maps, therefore more maps will be made. Being able to make maps easily allows the average person to feel connected to geography. People also have more understanding of geography and how to read maps after they have created their own. Neogeography has made geography much more important to the average person.


However, there are also consequences to neogeography. Though everyone is now able to make a map, we should only rely on them to an extent. Just because everyone can make a map, does't mean everyone should. A lot of the time, these maps have no purpose and are inaccurate. For example, people may wish to make a personal make that lists their favorite places to go or the route they take to work in the morning. This could be useful to that person, however, what purpose does it serve for the rest of the world. Many maps that are being made can only serve individuals or small groups who made the maps. The average person also cannot be trusted to create an accurate and reliable map. People without a background in geography are not knowledgable enough to make an accurate and useful map. We still need geographers to create maps that have a purpose and that are accurate. Though neogeography has made geography more important in society, it still cannot replace the work of geographers.




 

Topography- Lab #2

1. What is the name of the quadrangle?    

            Beverly Hills Quadrangle

2. What are the names of the adjacent quadrangles?  

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

3. When was the quadrangle first created?  

1966

4. What datum was used to create your map?

North American Datum of 1927, North American Datum of 1983, National Geodetic  Vertical Datum of 1929

5. What is the scale of the map?  

1:24000

6. At the above scale, answer the following: 

a) 5 centimeters on the map is equivalent to how many meters on the ground?  

1200 meters

b) 5 inches on the map is equivalent to how many miles on the ground? 

1.89 miles

c) one mile on the ground is equivalent to how many inches on the map? 

2.64 inches

d) three kilometers on the ground is equivalent to how many centimeters on the map?  

12.5 centimeters

7. What is the contour interval on your map? 

20 feet

8. What are the approximate geographic coordinates in both degrees/minutes/seconds and decimal degrees of: 

a) the Public Affairs Building; 

(34^o04’30”N,118^o26’15”W) , (34.075^oN, 118.4375^oW)

b) the tip of Santa Monica pier; 

(34^o00’27”N,118^o30’W), (34.0075^oN, 118.5^oW)

c) the Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir; 

(34^o07’11”N,118^o’48”W), (34.120^oN, 118.413^oW)

9. What is the approximate elevation in both feet and meters of: 

       a) Greystone Mansion (in Greystone Park); 

570 feet,  173.74 meters

b) Woodlawn Cemetery; 

140 feet, 42.67 meters

c) Crestwood Hills Park; 

680 feet, 207.26 meters

10. What is the UTM zone of the map? 

Zone 11

11. What are the UTM coordinates for the lower left corner of your map? 

3763000 Northing, 362000 Easting

12. How many square meters are contained within each cell (square) of the UTM gridlines? 

  1,000,000 square meters

13. Obtain elevation measurements, from west to east along the UTM northing 3771000, where the eastings of the UTM grid intersect the northing. Create an elevation profile using these measurements in Excel (hint: create a line chart). Figure out how to label the elevation values to the two measurements on campus. Insert your elevation profile as a graphic in your blog. 

14. What is the magnetic declination of the map?

14^o East

15. In which direction does water flow in the intermittent stream between the 405 freeway and Stone Canyon Reservoir? 

North to South

16. Crop out (i.e., cut and paste) UCLA from the map and include it as a graphic on your blog.