1979 California Water Atlas

Posted on September 2, 2016 by socalgovgis - Michael Carson

The California Water Atlas, published by the State of California, was a landmark atlas with the first comprehensive look at California’s extensive water system in a geographic context. The atlas itself measured about 18.5 x 16 inches and had hundreds of maps and infographics that told the story of California water in different ways.

The goal of the atlas was to “introduce Californians to the complex and compelling issues of water in the state, giving them the information they need to participate more actively in the decisions that governmental agencies make”. Continue reading →

The Future: LA 2013

Posted on August 29, 2016 by socalgovgis - Michael Carson

On April 3rd, 1988, the Los Angeles Times Magazine published a 25 year look ahead to 2013. Though we did not end up with housekeeper robots, other things did become reality. Continue reading →

MaptimeLA Headed to Catalina Island

Posted on August 25, 2016 by socalgovgis - Michael Carson

If you are interested in camping, mapping, and collecting 360 photos on Santa Catalina Island, then join MaptimeLA for the fun! Click below for more info.

PancakeBot!

Posted on August 17, 2016 by socalgovgis - Michael Carson

Ok, this has nothing to do with GIS, but I had to post about this one because it is too cool!

PancakeBot is a 3D food printer that takes any design using the included software and creates a pancake out of it by squirting pancake batter on a griddle.

If you act quickly TODAY, you can snag one for $199.99 on Woot.com. Regular price is $299.99 on PancakeBot.com. Get one now and make a map pancake!

Art Meets Maps

Posted on August 9, 2016 by socalgovgis - Michael Carson

“Art Meets Maps” is an exhibition of pictographic maps at the Map and Atlas Museum of La Jolla, in La Jolla, San Diego. Pictographic maps are maps that mix cartography, art, and illustration. The exhibition includes nine pieces made by British artist and illustrator MacDonald Gill. Continue reading →

Free USGS Maps with CalTopo

Posted on August 8, 2016 by socalgovgis - Michael Carson

If you need to plot out a hiking route, try CalTopo. CalTopo allows you to print USGS topo maps using the 1:24000 USGS scale. You can also measure the length of your hikes and compute elevation profiles. Check it out!

Town “Curbs” Geologists’ Reference

Posted on August 5, 2016 by socalgovgis - Michael Carson

A city crew in Hayward, CA decided to fix a “faulty curb”. However, this curb was used by Geologists to measure the displacement by the Hayward fault which moved in this location about 4mm a year.

Thanks goes to Tom Lutgen from Burbank Water and Power for finding this article.

Null Island

Posted on July 21, 2016 by socalgovgis - Michael Carson

It is not much of a place to visit. In the middle of a vast ocean with no land in sight with the only distinguishing feature being a lonely buoy. Seems like a “non-place”, but you might be surprised to learn that your GIS has probably visited the place a few times, maybe quite a bit. Add up all the operating GIS’s in the world and it may be the one of the most visited places on Earth … Null Island at 0,0.

Maps at LA Central Library

Posted on July 19, 2016 by socalgovgis - Michael Carson

Join MaptimeLA on July 20th when they visit the Los Angeles Central Library to check out the library’s huge map collection! Click below for more info.