Adventurer Jon Bowermaster is currently exploring the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica on a kayaking expedition aimed at understanding the affects of global warming. He will spend five weeks with a team in kayaks, on foot and on a sailboat, trying to get as close as possible to the remains of the Larsen Ice Shelf that collapsed spectacularly in 2002.
The team is making use of the new Landsat Image Map of Antarctica (LIMA), the most accurate map of Antarctica to date, to help understand the issues that are making the glaciers melt at an alarming rate. They are also using new technology from National Geographic Maps to record and communicate their expedition.
MetaLens from National Geographic Maps allows the expedition to geolocate and communicate the information that they collect, sharing this information online with anyone interested. The expedition’s MetaLens share screen gives you an opportunity to view their photos on a map, including complete metadata for each photo. You can customize your view window, placing any one component (metadata, map, image) in the center. There’s also a good deal of flexibility with how you view the map (topo, aerial, streets, hybrid, street tiles and shaded relief) with standard map viewing icons and tiled browsing.
The expedition is also using the MetaLens GeoStory Player (see photo above). This feature allows the expedition to record and present a slide show with a map view and details that describe each image (including video). The user retains control over the map, and can zoom and manipulate the map to explore details as they view the image.
I’m frankly blown away by this new technology, and can’t wait to see its use expand. The fact that National Geographic magazine will be able to use this feature to communicate their stories is particularly compelling. How many times have you sat down with that magazine with a map, globe or map website at hand? Soon you’ll be able to view the story photos in this interface, exploring the maps to gain a much better understanding of the area that they’re reporting on.
Be certain to check out Jon Bowermaster’s expedition website for a daily diary and video of his exploits. There’s a good deal of scientific material here as well to give you a better sense of climate change and Antarctic weather conditions. This expedition is funded in part by National Geographic, ABC News and GlobalWarming101.com.
