DEVELOPING CUSTOM GIS APPLICATIONS TO EXPLORE DIGITALLY VECTORIZED GEOLOGIC QUADRANGLES

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide powerful tools for the analysis of complex spatial data. Digitally vectorized geological data have been created by the Kentucky Geological Society (KGS) for the purpose of allowing spatial analyses to be performed on geologic data. Use of these digitally vectorized quadrangles require a GIS software package. Although the widely-used commercially available GIS software packages offer a wide range of extremely powerful tools for the visualization and analysis of geological data, there is a steep learning curve associated with their use, and the packages are not universally available to those who may have needs for such data. To make these vectorized geologic data more widely usable, a stand-alone, custom GIS (GeoTutor) has been developed using ESRI MapObjects for Visual Basic (MOVB). GeoTutor allows digitally vectorized geologic data to be viewed, and also utilizes powerful tools such as renderers, buffers, and intersects. Although not designed to totally replace full-blown GIS software packages, GeoTutor will give geology students the ability to use complex geologic data and perform intricate analysis without extensive training in GIS. GeoTutor can be used, for example, in geology classrooms in high schools and universities to enable students to examine geological maps and GIS by comparing different layers of data (i.e. streams, bedrock geology, topography) and recognizing relationships. It can also be useful in interpretative display settings to allow people, in parks or museums, for example, to explore geological phenomena.