Northern Grand Canyon Digital Elevation Models

I selected a section of the Northern Grand Canyon in Arizona, U.S. because, it not only has great features in terms of varying elevation (cliffs, peaks, a river at the bottom, and small valleys), it's easily recognizable as one of the most well known features on the Earth. Since Digital Elevation Models have a large scale of uses, these programs can be used for studying habitats. This could help scientists get a good idea of the kind of wildlife that could live within the area. They can also be used to study vegetation, and in this particular case the elevation could answer why plants are scarce in the Grand Canyon. Animal migrations can be studied through this because the elevation differences in the land can imply the future temperatures in the area in different seasons. The program could also be useful as references for natural disasters. Such as the effects of a flash flood (which would be very interesting in this particular area), the possibility of a tornado (which would be pretty low in the grand canyon), and the changes in seismic activity (for example: if a magma chamber existed underground, it would create changes in elevation in the land above it like in Yellowstone National Park). One thing about the aspect map is that my area is so finely detailed. This means that in a large scale rendition of the Grand Canyon would make it seem like it is really complicated and nearly flat. A small scale version of it, like the one I had before changing it to a different part of the Grand Canyon, makes the details larger making it seem less complicated even though they are the same general area. The 3D in particular is my favorite shows the same area from a different angle. It gives it a level of scale that the other models simply cannot.

The GCS (Geographic Coordinate System): GCS_North American_1983 is the spatial reference.
The Extent Information in (Decimal Degrees)
- Top: 36.5247222215
- Left: -112.557777777
- Right: -111.819722221
- Bottom: 36.0538888881

 

 
 

Projections in ArcGIS

     Map projections are generally important because they let us understand our positions in the earth at any given point not only through visuals but through mathematical analysis (making us able to navigate ourselves accurately). There are various types of map projections. Some can look like a realistic view of the earth from space while others shape the earth in ways that make it nearly unrecognizable. Each projection has its own distinct properties and therefore they have their own functions. The ones used above consist of three different types of projections. They are conformal, equidistant, and equal-distant types of projections. Each view maps in different ways for different purposes.
     Certain maps are better for navigation. Specifically the conformal types of maps. These maps have lines that are the incidental. Meaning they have parallel line that keep the shape of the earth more or less accurate. Conformal types of maps are also known as orthomorphic map projections. The Mercator projection and the Stereographic projections are both conformal and although they don't keep the exact shape of large objects like the continents (especially Africa and Australia) they have a consistent direction throughout all points on the map. The Mercator projection is even used for marine navigation.
     There are more Equidistant maps than other types of map projections. Equidistant maps have certain uses that rely more on proportionate distances rather than actual angles. The point of these is to always keep the scale consistent. These projections are large scale and are mostly used for travel by airplane. In the equidistant Azumithal and Conic projections the continents are generally kept well proportioned. Neither Africa nor Australia seem to be either incredibly large or small. In fact, the only one that seems disproportionate is Antarctica in the Conic projection, but even then it is actually spread out equally throughout the far edges of the map where it should be.
     Equal Distant maps are mostly used for geology. This is because they preserve area. They correct the mistake of the Mercator projection that shows Greenland a few times larger than it should be and make it smaller than Africa. For example: the Equal Distant Cylindrical clearly shows the difference in size between Greenland and Africa. The cylindrical projection is as if a 3 dimensional surface of the earth was laid flat on a cylinder and spread out to form a rectangle. It looks stretched sideways but it keeps that area the same. The Sinusodial projection also preserves the area but it uses the equator and prime meridian as the only straight lines. It is the equivalent of cutting an orange and emptying its contents, then spreading the crust flat without ripping it. They are arguably the most interesting because they keep everything proportionate in terms of area but use unique ways of projecting it.

My first ArcMap Experience & Potential and Pitfalls of GIS

     My first ArcMap experience wasn't pleasant. Unfortunately, I didn't get far into the tutorial (not even to exercise 2) because I kept on getting stuck on what seemed to be the simplest things. Even though my first experience on the tutorial wasn't particularly fantastic, I finished the hands-on tutorial the second time around. The tutorial was outdated but the problems were addressed responsibly, but even then there were a few things on the tutorial that were also problematic. Although it was extremely and step by step, some of the wording could have been clearer on certain points.
     Overall, I enjoyed my recent ArcMap experience. I have always been interested in creating maps and now I know how to do them in a much more professional manner (instead of drawing them myself). I liked how there were ways to actually draw features. This gives me a chance to get creative if I ever want to go to use ArcMap for my own purposes. I also think it is important to be able to import and export actual approved geographical data into the program. I gives an accurate measure and is great for presentations.
     There is a lot of potential for the programmers and mapmakers in the field of GIS because ArcMap, along with several other software and programs, have various features and options that go into developing a digital map. And since there are about as many definitions of GIS as there are people working on computer maps of any kind, this field has the ability to expand on a much wider basis.
     However, a potential pitfall in the field of GIS is that the programs and software used to make such maps can be complicated and too difficult to understand for a person who has no background on any kind of GIS programs relating to it. A simple way of making a program more easy to understand is to make the instructions as visual as possible. The software can come with a video tutorial (similar to Google my-maps) that doesn't skip steps. Easy to use and crystal clear visual instructions will definitely make the programs more hospitable for new users.