Objective rapid delineation of areas at risk from block-and-ash pyroclastic flows and surges

Assessments of pyroclastic flow (PF) hazards are commonly based on mapping of PF and surge deposits and estimations of inundation limits, and/or computer models of varying degrees of sophistication. In volcanic crises a PF hazard map may be sorely needed, but limited time, exposures, or safety aspects may preclude fieldwork, and insufficient time or baseline data may be available for reliable dynamic simulations. We have developed a statistically constrained simulation model for block-and-ash type PFs to estimate potential areas of inundation by adapting methodology from Iverson et al. (Geol Soc America Bull 110:972–984, 1998) for lahars. The predictive equations for block-and-ash PFs are calibrated with data from several volcanoes and given by A = (0.05 to 0.1)V ^2/3, B = (35 to 40)V ^2/3, where A is cross-sectional area of inundation, B is planimetric area and V is deposit volume. The proportionality coefficients were obtained from regression analyses and comparison of simulations to mapped deposits. The method embeds the predictive equations in a GIS program coupled with DEM topography, using the LAHARZ program of Schilling (1998). Although the method is objective and reproducible, any PF hazard zone so computed should be considered as an approximate guide only, due to uncertainties on the coefficients applicable to individual PFs, the authenticity of DEM details, and the volume of future collapses. The statistical uncertainty of the predictive equations, which imply a factor of two or more in predicting A or B for a specified V, is superposed on the uncertainty of forecasting V for the next PF to descend a particular valley. Multiple inundation zones, produced by simulations using a selected range of volumes, partly accommodate these uncertainties. The resulting maps show graphically that PF inundation potentials are highest nearest volcano sources and along valley thalwegs, and diminish with distance from source and lateral distance from thalweg. The model does not explicitly consider dynamic behavior, which can be important. Ash-cloud surge impact limits must be extended beyond PF hazard zones and we provide several approaches to do this. The method has been used to supply PF and surge hazard maps in two crises: Merapi 2006; and Montserrat 2006–2007.     

A hybrid neural network model for typhoon-rainfall forecasting

A hybrid neural network model is proposed in this paper to forecast the typhoon rainfall. Two different types of artificial neural networks, the self-organizing map (SOM) and the multilayer perceptron network (MLPN), are combined to develop the proposed model. In the proposed model, a data analysis technique is developed based on the SOM, which can perform cluster analysis and discrimination analysis in one step. The MLPN is used as the nonlinear regression technique to construct the relationship between the input and output data. First, the input data are analyzed using a SOM-based data analysis technique. Through the SOM-based data analysis technique, input data with different properties are first divided into distinct clusters, which can help the multivariate nonlinear regression of each cluster. Additionally, the topological relationships among data are discovered from which more insight into the typhoon-rainfall process can be revealed. Then, for each cluster, the individual relationship between the input and output data is constructed by a specific MLPN. For evaluating the forecasting performance of the proposed model, an application is conducted. The proposed model is applied to the Tanshui River Basin to forecast the typhoon rainfall. The results show that the proposed model can forecast more precisely than the model developed by the conventional neural network approach.     

Using eye tracking to evaluate the usability of animated maps

Cartographic animation has been developed and widely used in geo-visualisation and many other areas in recent years.The usability of animated maps is a key characteristic affecting map users’effectiveness and efficiency in accomplishing tasks.In this paper,an eye tracking approach was proposed as a visual analytics method to evaluate the usability of animated maps by capturing participants’eye movement data and quantitatively analysing the accuracy(effectiveness)and response time(efficiency)of users’task completion.In the study,a set of animated traffic maps represented by three important visual variables(colour hue,size and frequency)was used for the usability evaluation.The experimental results showed that the usability of these three visual variables for cartographic animation affects the usability of animated maps.Red,yellow,and aqua were found to convey map information more effectively than other colour hues.Size was found to be more usable than colour hues for both animated maps and static maps.Usability was not found to be proportional to the playback rate of animated maps.Furthermore,the usability of the frequency,colour hue,and size was found to be related to the display’s size.We hope that the analysis approach presented in this paper and the results of this study will be of help in the design of cartographic animation displays with better usability.     

京奉铁路之历史地理研究(1881-1912年)

京奉铁路是近代中国第一条干线铁路,全长840 km,起始于1881年的唐胥铁路建设,经历许多波折,兴建时间长达31年,可以视为近代中国铁路发展的缩影。在中国近代化的过程之中,近代交通的发展受到守旧派的阻力相当巨大,其中铁路建设阻力更大。京奉铁路从清帝国首都北京修筑至陪都盛京,并非一帆风顺,而是在各种错综复杂的因素影响下艰难分段延展。在地理空间的展布上,京奉铁路的路线走向受到多种因素的影响,其中包含政治因素、军事因素、经济因素、地理因素、风俗习惯等。本研究将藉助GIS,对相关区域旧版大比例尺地形图(包含战前日本所制的地形图在内)做定位与套迭,取得旧日铁路路线、城垣、河道、皇家苑囿等地理信息进行分析,探讨影响京奉铁路路线与各种因素的关系。在地图资料之外,本研究将与其他的文字史料相互参照,以分析在唐山—胥各庄段、北京附近、以及奉天附近三个研究区域里,前述各种因素对京奉铁路发展上的影响。     

青藏高原水系特征遥感影像解译方法研究

我国西部地区1∶50000地形图的缺失,制约了该区域经济建设和社会发展,给我国西部大开发战略的实施带来了困难。影像解译是整个测绘工程中的关键环节之一,水系特征又是各类地物中的关键要素。本文通过对不同影像中青藏高原水系特征的解译,结合其它技术手段,综合运用各类信息,在此基础上提出了针对不同水系特征的解译提取方法。结果表明,针对不同水系特征的特点,利用不同的遥感数据源,结合其它技术手段,加上各类信息的运用,能够有效地提取青藏高原的各类水系特征,基本能够满足1∶50000地形图的测绘需求。     

运用自组织映射识别街道网中的网格模式

提出了一种运用自组织映射识别网格模式的方法。首先,计算街道网中网眼的参数,这些参数是质心、面积、矩形度、延展度、是否含有平行边、边数、一阶邻居数和矩形度平均值;然后,将网眼作为自组织映射的向量进行训练,利用U-matrix可视化方法挖掘聚类得出结果。实验结果表明,该方法能有效地从不规则街道网中识别出网格模式。     

基于GML+XSLT和SVG的矢量专题图绘制方法

地理标志语言GML和可缩放矢量图形SVG是2种基于XML的开放性、应用性标记语言;GML和SVG的出现解决了GIS数据的共享和GIS数据的显示的难题。专题地图是GIS中一个重要的功能,它能够直观地对与专题相关的一种或几种数据进行表示,使得数据更有说服力。提出了基于GML、XSLT和SVG实现专题图的方法;绘制了某城市10年的月平均降雨量的专题图。     

河南地图网的设计与实现

河南地图网作为数字河南地图公众服务平台,是互联网宣传河南的重要窗口。文章主要从网站的服务定位、数据组织和功能设计等方面介绍河南地图网的设计与建设,并对河南地图网的现状和发展前景进行分析和总结。     

基于IKONOS卫星立体像对的1∶10000地形图测绘应用

以IKONOS卫星立体像对为数据源,检测了IKONOS卫星影像在不同控制点布设方案的情况下的测图精度,找出了最经济、最有效进行1∶10000地形图测绘的方法;利用IKONOS卫星影像进行1∶10000测图,并分析了卫星像对影像更适合哪种地形测图;将卫星影像测图与航测测图进行效益和效率比较,分析了卫星影像测图的优势。     

2维地图与3维虚拟场景交互技术的应用与实现

通过分析传统2维地图与3维虚拟场景在电力选线设计中的技术作用及特点,阐明了二者交互结合在电力选线中的必要性,并分别从2维地图模块设计与3维虚拟场景模块设计出发,实现了2维地图与3维虚拟场景的交互,最终为电力选线设计提供了便利.