Lab 3 - Tsunami's

GIS 4048

 

 

For this weeks lab we continued with Natural Hazards and creating maps to help mitigate the impact of such hazards.  The lab was two-fold this week.  First we outlined areas that would be affected by radiation due to the Fukushima Power Plant disaster.  Secondly we outlined Evacuation Zones for those areas affected by the Tsunami. 

 

This lab had me using several different tools to return desired results.  In particular I utilized the Multi-Ring Buffer Tool to outline those areas up to 50 miles away from the Fukushima Power Plant radiation leak.  Using select by location I was able to identify populations that would be affected by the leak.  Risk assessment could then be done to highlight those that would be directly impacted by this threat.

 

In the Tsunami portion of the lab, we revisited the CON tool, and worked with Raster DEM's to analyze those areas that would be directly impacted by the Tsunami event.  Those areas were then broken down into Evacuation Zones based on the height of the water.  We were also able to utilize the Evacuation Zones to highlight those cities, roads, and nuclear power facilities that would be directly impacted by the tsunami event.

 

Overall I really enjoyed learning these new methods of analyzing different types of disasters and creating a map that will server to mitigate any risk involved.

Lab 2 - Lahars

GIS 4048

 

 

 

In this weeks lab we learned about Lahars and how these Natural Hazards that are typically produced by volcanos can cause damage as they sweep down hillsides carrying rocks, mud, water, debris and whatever else they may pick up along their travel path.  Due to their destructive nature we learned how to design a map that could forecast the flow direction and help provide those in it's path a way to be informed of the dangers.  Above you will see a map that I created for a study area around Mount Hood.  Utilizing Analysis Tools in GIS I was able to take a Digital Elevation Map and produce an expected flow path.  With this data in hand I was then able to see what Census Blocks would be affected and provide an accurate measurement of the people the flow may affect along the path.  I was also able to provide a visual for certain schools that fall within the hazard zone as well.

 

Overall I enjoyed this lab.  I learned several new tools that will help me in my daily work and I now can see how to effectively use DEM's to predict flow patterns.



Cub Scout Popcorn Sales in South Plainfield, New Jersey

The application that I would like to look into is how to utilize GIS to track and improve sales of popcorn for South Plainfield, New Jersey, Cub Scout Pack 207.  Popcorn sales are a way that the Cub Scouts can do fundraising that will finance their future endeavors for the year.   This fundraiser typically is quite large and the scouts go house to house, as well as setting up locations in front of stores.  I would like to track where the sales are productive, and see what types of goods are selling the best in locations. 

I believe this application will work directly with marketing and retail.  With a better understanding of where the sales are most productive, as well as knowing what type of product is selling, we can focus our efforts and spend more time in the areas that raise the most money. 

I believe one of the challenging issues with this task will be with teaching the scouts how to gather data properly, as well as coming up with a way that this can be simplified so that the data can be used in the future.  I believe one of these solutions would be to come up with a mobile application through GIS Online, or perhaps a spreadsheet through Google docs that all the children can access while doing sales.

I find this project to be interesting because as a Cub Scout leader I can introduce the young scouts to a great technology, and at the same time allow them to focus on earning more money that will be utilized in projects and trips for the next year.

I would like to see how this application can be put into place for little to no cost, and also learn the best way to gather and present the data for future use.  I believe this can then be shared to other packs and help the scouts become more productive in this fundraising project.  My hope is that they will also see where GIS can be used in other projects that they may do in the future.