Week 4: Arc Map Tutorial

Arc GIS is an amazingly helpful software. It allows the function of combining several types of data of a geographic location. Using ARCMaps for the first time is challenging. By following the brochure, it took a long time to create the final map. However if followed correctly there were no issues. When followed incorrectly it often didn't become apparent until a few steps later, there fore it was time consuming and difficult to pinpoint the last error.

Arc GIS has a lot of potential. It allows for the creator to consider several variables, giving the freedom to make it as complex or simple. Also it is also helpful because of the Excel type functions it has. You can extrapolate the data creating graphs, charts and so on with the information. This allows for the map to be as thorough as possible. It is also an efficient way to show your data and information, all on one page. Also, with the information provided, GIS software can also make predictions. This has ample benefits for studying and establishing trends. Although difficult at first, the continuous use and repetitive actions makes it helpful to quickly remember actions and commands. Another good point of this, is how you can easily edit/modify the information. By changing and adding number/information it will modify your existing map accordingly.

Some of the negative aspects and pitfalls is the reliance on databases. Of course none of the commands would work without the data layers, because that is the information. but one error in the database can not only skew but completely mess up the map. Also, at certain times, I found myself frustrated with the many toolbars. I had to keep several open at a time, and when it came time to zoom in and out, change scale, etc, I had difficulties. By the end of it I got it down, but in the beginning I spent more time than necessary trying to fix sizes, scales etc.

Over all, GIS has many benefits. Overtime, with future software updates, it will become even more user-friendly. It already has so many benefits and is used so frequently, that most people underestimate is true value and potential. Eventually learning how to use GIS software might become something even high school-ers will even learn to use, because of its many benefits.

Week 3: Digital Mapping

whenever you use a tool
it gives you a but of freedom
participating in how the world should look,
put limits on how you can personalize

5 place marks
one route
one shape
one embedded picture
one embedded link
one embedded video

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=216154049483233420066.0004d3fb6f0d7cde94d83&msa=0&ll=48.872167,2.770014&spn=0.039687,0.090895

Week 2: USGS Topo Map

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?
Horizontal: North American Datum (NAD) of 1927 Vertical: National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929
5. What is the scale of the map? 
1:24,000
6. At the above scale, answer the following:
a) 5 centimeters on the map is equivalent to how many meters on the ground?1/24,000=5/X= 1,200 meters

b) 5 inches on the map is equivalent to how many miles on the ground?1/24,000=5/X=  *63360=1.894 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? 3km*24000=72,000

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: http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html
a) the Public Affairs Building; 
34°4'20"N,118°27'0"W       34.072222°N,118.45°W
b) the tip of Santa Monica pier; 
34°0'50"N,118°29'56"W     34.013889°N,118.449°W
c) the Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir; 
34°7'10"N,118°24'30"W    34.119444°N,118.408333°W

9. What is the approximate elevation in both feet and meters of:
 a) Greystone Mansion (in Greystone Park);
  550 ft/167.68m
b) Woodlawn Cemetery;
   140ft/42.6m
c) Crestwood Hills Park;
    800ft/243.90m

10. What is the UTM zone of the map?
It is zone 11.

11. What are the UTM coordinates for the lower left corner of your map?
361500mE, 3763000mN

12. How many square meters are contained within each cell (square) of the UTM gridlines?
each cell (square) has 1,000,000 m²

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°

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

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