What is GIS?
A geographic information system (GIS) is a systematic collection of hardware, software, and data designed to store, process, analyze, query, and display information for decision-making and accurate analysis of spatial data. Having all available relevant information at your fingertips has great potential to improve the quality of research and education. One of the biggest challenges for geoscientists is to collect, assimilate, analyze, manipulate, and visualize the ever-increasing amount of digital geographic data that reveals new and exciting details about the world and even other planets. Dissemination of the knowledge produced in this way is essential for the education and training of future generations of geoscientists.
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One misconception about GIS is that it is simply a mapping tool. GIS does much more than just maps. It allows users to analyze, research, search, and select databases for specific purposes. For example, a person studying the seismotectonics of an area can show all the active faults in the area, select earthquakes within a certain distance of them, and calculate the frequency of seismic events. Similarly, the user can select a geological unit and determine its contact area, topography, or number of faults within it. These are simple tasks that can be completed in seconds. GIS provides a convenient way to expand our ability to do better research in much less time and bring interdisciplinary approaches to research by enabling efficient ways to cross-reference multiple datasets. The use of GIS software allows data to be stored in a spatially registered structure and enables cross-referencing of heterogeneous, multidisciplinary datasets. It manages datasets as data layers. Geographical features such as rivers and lakes or geological features such as fractures, test beds, and rock ages are all examples of layers. Each layer is independent of the others, but all share a common geographic registration and can be linked by special identification tags. It provides a convenient way to select the necessary information from the database and prepare it for further analysis and decision-making.
Let’s look at some important applications of GIS in the earth sciences and how geoscientists can use GIS as a tool for data integration and processing. Applications of GIS in geology include:
1. General Mapping:
Mapping is one of the important tools of geoscience study. Maps are records of facts and phenomena in their correct spatial relationships and thus provide a visual interpretation of information. GIS stores data in databases and presents them in a visually mapped form. People in various professions use cards to communicate facts and ideas. Knowledge of cartography is essential to creating the perfect map. Google Maps, Bing Maps, and Yahoo Map are the best examples of web-based GIS mapping solutions.
2. Urban Planning:
With the help of GIS technology, the direction of growth and expansion of cities is analyzed and suitable places for further development of cities are found. Certain factors such as accessibility, topography, land use, land cover, water availability, and infrastructure must be taken into account to identify suitable areas for urban expansion.
3. Land Information System:
A GIS-based land acquisition management system provides complete information about land. Land acquisition management has only been around for three to four years. It helps in the timely resolution of issues related to private land valuation, ownership details and payment details, land allocation tracking, ownership, and land acquisition.
4. Surveying:
Surveying is the measurement of the position of objects on the earth’s surface. Land surveying involves measuring distances and angles between various points on the earth’s surface. More and more private and government agencies are using DGPS measurements. DGPS is used for topographic surveying where centimeter-level accuracy is guaranteed. This data can be transferred to a GIS system. GIS tools allow you to estimate the dimensions and area of your property and create digital maps.
5. Detection of Coalfield Fires:
Coalfield fires occur frequently around the world and can be caused by lightning strikes, forest fires, human accidents, and improper decommissioning of old mines. The Jharia coalfield is located in the middle of one of India’s largest coal deposits and has been burning unhindered for over 100 years. The town and surrounding villages sit atop an active volcano and face an uncertain future. GIS technology can be used in this region to monitor the extent and intensity of fires and ensure safe production at the mine. Many coal mines have developed information management systems that allow managers to improve their ability to make quick, informed decisions while monitoring safe production.
6. Earthquake Information System:
One of the most frightening and destructive natural phenomena is the occurrence of earthquakes. It is necessary to better understand global trends in earthquake occurrence. GIS-based interfaces for querying seismic data are extremely useful for earthquake engineers and seismologists in understanding patterns of earthquake behavior in spatial and temporal domains. Through the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP), the USGS monitors and reports earthquakes, assesses earthquake impacts and risks, and conducts targeted research on the causes and effects of earthquakes.
7. Geologic Mapping:
GIS is an effective tool for geological mapping. A geologist can easily create a map of any area accurately at the desired scale. The results provide accurate measurements and are useful in several areas where geological maps are required. This is cost-effective and provides more accurate data, which simplifies the scaling process when studying geological mapping.
8. Coastal Management:
Coastal areas are home to diverse and productive ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses, and sand dunes, and GIS can generate the data needed for coastal management planning at the macro and micro levels. GIS can be used to map and monitor coastal resources; select brackish aquacultures sites, and create baseline inventories for coastal topography surveys.
9. Land Use Change:
Mining is the backbone of any country’s developing economy. To understand the nature and extent of these hazardous events in the region, impacts caused by mining must be mapped, monitored, and controlled. The data needed to understand the impact of mining on the environment comes from a variety of disciplines that need to be integrated to establish hazard zones.
10. Land Administration:
In many countries, individual functions of land management are being integrated through the creation of digital cadastral databases. With the help of these databases, land can be repurposed for appropriate purposes and even digital taxes and utility bills can be easily managed using these databases.