GIS DATA ACCESS AND DISTRIBUTION USING A MAP APPLICATION TOOL

The Ohio Division of Geological Survey has created and released a number of statewide geoscience datasets in geographic information system (GIS) format. These datasets include: 1) bedrock-surface topography; 2) bedrock geology; 3) bedrock structure; 4) abandoned underground mines; 5) and oil- and gas-well locations. Moreover, to make these datasets user friendly, a GIS map-application tool was created so that over 4,000 different maps and GIS data layers can be extracted for stand-alone use or printing.

The GIS map-application tool has a number of different functions. For example, the tool allows the GIS user to select a specific map theme and scale, such as a 1:24,000-scale bedrock-geology map. Once a theme has been selected, a quadrangle map can be extracted by either selecting from a list of quadrangle names, or by selecting the desired quadrangle from a quadrangle-index map. Upon extraction of the data from its statewide database, the user can then edit the data, export the data, or setup a map for printing. If a user is editing the GIS data, all relevant data sets are displayed. For exporting purposes, a function exists that allows for compression of the extracted data into a ZIP file. Another beneficial function allows for traditional display and printing of geologic maps. These functions were design to serve two primary purposes; to move the user towards using digital map-making practices and analyses, and to facilitate an easy production and distribution method for print-on-demand maps and GIS data.