Updating the WWEL mapping system to improve visual analysis of earthquake distribution

Abstract

The world-wide earthquake locator is an online mapping application that maps the location and severity of earthquakes which have occurred since 1970`s. The current mapping system the site is using is beginning to look dated and there is an opportunity to update the display using a Google maps mash-up. This would display the data from The U.S geological survey in a modern manner that is consistent with current online mapping trends.

A new visual representation of the USGS information would hopefully allow trends and patterns within the data to be identified. Modernising the map using open source tools such as the Google Ajax API, KML, Perl scripts and Oracle RDBMS should improve the experience for the user and allow them to learn more about the distribution of larger earthquakes.

Analysis of databases and the data infrastructure will be required in order to ascertain why certain aspects of the site currently do not function.