WSGS Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Group
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David W. Lucke, |
Phyllis A. Ranz, GIS Specialist Geographical Information Systems (307) 766-2286 Ext. 236 pranz@uwyo.edu |
GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize spatial data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.
Geologists at the WSGS use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map and analyze Wyoming’s geology. GIS allows the staff to combine the use of computers, digital data, and specialized software to display, analyze, and store information related to the Earth’s surface. Data sets may be thought of as compatible layers that can be overlain and queried.
Typical GIS data layers created at the WSGS include bedrock geology, surficial geology, fault locations, and mineral deposit locations. The data sets include locations of geologic features and tabular data about the features. Tabular data may include ages, descriptions, abbreviated nomenclature, and other characteristics.
Geologic GIS data can be combined or overlain on data from other sources. Examples of external data used by the WSGS include information on roads, streams, cities, and elevation. GIS has all but replaced traditional manual cartography techniques, allowing maps to be designed, edited, and stored on computers. The map data is digital and portions of the map or the entire map can be viewed on computer screens. Digital maps can be printed on large plotters when paper copies are desired. In addition to cartographic work, the GIS office can scan paper maps up to 42" wide and laminate maps up to 40" wide.
Scanning maps into a digital format allows them to be used with GIS. The format of these data varies by use and the amount of work involved in the transformation process. The simplest format uses the scanned map as a background image, while more complicated formats include “heads-up digitizing” of the map to create vector data. To learn more about GIS visit USGS GIS.
Current Projects
Interactive Map Server
The GIS group is creating an interactive map server (IMS) covering the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. This will allow the user to interactively create and query maps of the Powder River Basin. This is an easy-to-use, task-focused application to deliver dynamic maps and data via the internet.
StateMap
WSGS geologists use GIS to create digital data sets and map layouts for the StateMap project. The StateMap project produces bedrock and surficial geologic maps of USGS 30'x60' quadrangles and 7 ½' quadrangles. More information about the StateMap project can be found here
Online maps
The WSGS is working to provide online interactive maps, the first of which will be the Powder River Basin report. Additional online maps will follow. Planned projects include an online industrial minerals map and a downloadable GIS data map.
Centralized database
GIS and IT staff are creating and populating a central GIS database in order to provide internal and external users more streamlined access to data sets stored and created at the WSGS.
Improvements and updates
The GIS staff is continually working to update and improve digital data sets that have been created in the past, such as the Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming and other previously released geologic maps.
Animation
Additonal projects include work such as the Powder River Basin animation (may take several minutes to download)