Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/103965
Time-sensitive GeoWorld departments such as NetLink, PeopleLink, Product News and Business News now are maintained solely at the GeoPlace.com Web site. Check there often for the latest updates as they happen. A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) analysis of recent light detection and ranging (LiDAR) coastal data shows the extent of Hurricane Sandy's impact, also giving insight into future coastal vulnerabilities for the region hit by the storm. Researchers used LiDAR data collected during an airborne survey to build a high-resolution 3-D map depicting conditions before and after the hurricane. The information should help scientists and government leaders identify areas along the shore that have been made more vulnerable to future coastal hazards in the storm's wake. According to Hilary Stockdon, USGS research oceanographer, the LiDAR data show that at Ocean Bay Park, for example, storm surge and waves associated with Sandy demolished protective dunes—and the structures built on top of them. "We found that there was widespread dune erosion and overwash," noted Cheryl Hapke, USGS coastal geologist. "On average, where the dunes weren't completely overwashed, they eroded back 70 feet—the equivalent of 30 years of change. Our research also showed that dunes lost as much as 15 feet of elevation." federal guidance for managing geospatial investments, and having OMB develop a mechanism to identify and report on geospatial investments. GAO's report represents the latest attempt by the agency to flag geospatial coordination issues at the federal level. This report, however, focuses more specifically on policies and procedures for coordinating investments in geospatial data and avoiding duplication. Nokia Snaps Up Company with Street-Level Tools Mobile communications and IT giant Nokia is acquiring privately held earthmine Inc., a company Imagery/LIDAR Special Issue USGS LiDAR Study Reveals Impact of Hurricane An image derived from LiDAR data shows the change in elevation on part of New York's Fire Island between May and October 2012, after Hurricane Sandy. And the relationship among dunes, storms and development is an important one, according to USGS. "Coastal dunes are our last line of natural defense from the onslaught of storms and rising seas," added Marcia McNutt, USGS director. "They are dynamic features that retreat from the battering of major storms like Sandy and rebuild in the aftermath; their natural cycle is inconsistent with immobile development." specializing in 3-D street-level imaging technologies, including hardware, hosting solutions and software. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "We are very excited to be joining Nokia, a company with a huge presence and vision in mapping," said John Ristevski, co-CEO of earthmine Inc. "We could not hope for a better place to fulfill and accelerate our mission of indexing the world in 3-D." Workers from earthmine are expected to join the Nokia Location & Commerce business unit, with Berkeley, Calif., serving as a main site for development of 3-D capture technology. Technology by earthmine already is being used in local search, GIS and security markets throughout North America as well as in Europe, Australia, East Asia and the Middle East. J A N U A R Y 2 O 1 3 / W W W . G E O P L A C E . C O M 7