ACROSS THE COUNTRY FROM WEST TO EAST: VISUAL NARRATIVES FOR COASTAL MAPPING TECHNIQUES

Communicating science and mapping methodology to the public has become increasingly important in an age of readily available digital information. Transparency in scientific work is relayed not only in public data releases and scientific publishing, but it is also increasingly tied to our ability to engage the non-scientific public.

Immersive experiences have become more pervasive in inviting people to experience games, art, or science; to build geo-environments and virtually transport the viewer far away into a different time. As geoscientists and geologic mappers, we are well placed to present our 2D and 3D science in innovative ways.

Esri’s ArcGIS Online platform does not offer a fully-fledged virtual reality experience but provides through story maps a way to present a highly engaging narrative that can combine maps, text, videos, photos, and other media which is viewable on mobile platforms and the web. Even if this type of narrative is linear, users can find information by interacting directly with GIS-based map layers and 3D data that add multiple dimensions.

The story maps presented contain, describe, and visualize GIS and remote sensing methods for (1) The Land of Gods: Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Big Island, Hawaiʻi; (2) Great Lakes area: Bluff coastal erosion in Miami Park, Michigan; and (3) Bluff riverbank erosion, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. The objectives for the story maps include (1) the introduction of USGS fieldwork methods to acquire 3D data for mitigation, monitoring, and planning for natural hazards in different coastal area settings; (2) an emphasis on the utility and importance of high-resolution 3D data; and (3) the presentation of various GIS and remote sensing methods such as uncrewed aerial systems with digital cameras and lidar, or ground base lidar to foster engagement with the general public.