KENTUCKY AS ART – COLLABORATING ACROSS UNIVERSITIES FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

The Kentucky Geological Survey is collaborating with Murray State University to develop a body of visually compelling geospatial products from USGS-funded research projects. Under a grant from the AmericaView program, this collaboration is identifying aesthetically appealing geospatial images to attract public interest and encourage public engagement in remote sensing and the geosciences. Images nominated by researchers and stakeholders are undergoing multiple rounds of jury consideration, including public feedback and staff review. The ultimate goal of this pilot project is to identify a limited number of high-quality images to illustrate geoscience concepts in Kentucky at a variety of scales and across sensing formats. Submissions have included satellite-based maps, lidar-derived analyses, geologic maps, and geologic thin-section photomicrographs. Final images will be displayed in public settings with detailed labeling and links to additional geologic information resources.