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Geographic Information System (GIS) Day Celebrated by Scientists By Jennifer Leigh Oates Dec. 2004 / Jan. 2005 in this issue:  previous story | next story Above: Michael Holmes (left) and Russ Peterson staffed the booth at the University of South Florida's GIS Day, where they demonstrated how the USGS uses GIS technology. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies in St. Petersburg, FL, participated in a Geographic Information System (GIS) Day held November 16 at the University of South Florida (USF) in St. Petersburg. Countries all over the world hold annual GIS Day events, and one such event has been held for three consecutive years at USF. This year, 168 people attended. The purpose of GIS Day is to help teach the world about GIS technology and provide GIS users and vendors an opportunity to interact with the general public and demonstrate practical applications. During the GIS Day celebration at USF, Mike Holmes (USGS) used two Internet connections to show GIS data sets available through the USGS National Map and the USGS real-time water-data Web site for Florida. Russ Peterson (USGS) explained how GIS technology is used to map windspeed, storm-tracking information, and bathymetric data in areas hit by hurricanes. He showed data sets used to determine shoreline changes and other impacts of Hurricane Ivan, which came ashore near Gulf Shores, AL, on September 16, 2004. Additionally, Russ described how John Brock (USGS) is working with the National Park Service, using GIS and lidar (light detection and ranging) technology to map coral reefs in the Biscayne Bay. A GIS is a system of computer software, hardware, and data that allows a user to manipulate, analyze, and present information that is tied to a spatial location. GIS technology is used in scientific investigations, resource management, development planning, and many other applications that require analysis of spatial data. USGS Scientists from St. Petersburg, FL, Participate in GIS (Geographic Information System) Day Dec. 2003 / Jan. 2004 The National Map U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) GIS Day USGS real-time water-data Web site for Florida U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in this issue:  previous story | next story

Dec. 2004 / Jan. 2005 Mailing List: Sign up to receive monthly email updates: print this issue in this issue: cover story: Indian Ocean Tsunami Could a Tsunami Happen Here? Deltaic Habitats in Puget Sound Invasive Sea Squirt Flourishing How Sea Floor Sediment Moves Submarine Canyons Named for Marine Geologists Appreciation Day for Congressman Young Students Learn About Coastal and Marine Science Hurricanes Focus Attention on USGS Research College Students Visit USGS Center in St. Petersburg Scientists Participate in Great-American Teach-In Scientists Interviewed About Invasive Sea Squirt GIS Day CCWS Open House Scientists Interviewed for HBO Program International Symposium on Coastal Issues Jeff Williams Reviews Storm Surge Model Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institutes Conference Suwannee River Basin and Estuary Integrated Science Workshop Regional Executive Visits FISC Office Jingping Xu Joins Western Coastal and Marine Geology Team Special Oceanography Issue Includes Sediment Dynamics Article Dec. / Jan. Publications List

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