GEODROID MAPPER: AN ANDROID-BASED APPLICATION FOR COLLECTION OF GEOLOGIC DATA USING A TABLET OR SMART PHONE

Geologic mapping is a slow process that generally uses USGS topographic maps and/or aerial photographs in conjunction with a field notebook. As data are collected in the field, the lithologic and structural data are transferred to a field (paper) base map. With the wide availability of smart phones and tablets, efficiency of the record keeping aspect of the mapping process can be significantly enhanced. To expedite data entry, GeoDroid Mapper has been developed for Android-based devices. Field data collected in the application are stored on an internal SQLite-database that can be transferred to a computer for viewing, analysis, and preparation of GIS datasets.

GeoDroid Mapper allows the user to collect and store lithologic, geotechnical, positional, and datum information along with structural data in a variety of input formats. Common lookup lists are used for planar and linear features; text and camera inputs are available for recording additional observations and notes. The relational-database is organized to allow for complete flexibility regarding the number structural measurements necessary at each map station. The need for external GPS receivers is eliminated; as the device’s internal GPS unit is used for northing and easting data. GeoDroid Mapper is integrated with Google Earth and Google Maps to plot and display map station numbers on an interactive base map. Tapping the map station icon launches a viewing window to review your recorded data. Within the viewing window, the user can tap an edit button to make necessary edits of the recordset.

Applications are available in the Android Market that allow collection and display of structural data. These applications are not designed to be a digital field notebook and only allow limited dataset records without purchasing the full version. GeoDroid Mapper will be freely available and does not have any preset limits on data record sets.