These maps, which will appear on SciVerse ScienceDirect, are based on KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files with geographic annotation created by the authors. This annotation could be a simple landmark pointer with a textual note, but also a visual overlay with actual research data. 

Initially announced in May 2011, the Google Maps functionality is now available for over 80 journals in earth sciences, life sciences, and social sciences, on SciVerse ScienceDirect.  

Authors can use a choice of Geographic Information System applications to create KML files (see further information below). These files then need to be uploaded to the Elsevier Editorial System (EES) when uploading a manuscript file, images, and other supplementary data. Elsevier will generate Google Maps from the submitted KML files and include these in the online article.

When you prepare a KML file, please be advised that not all KML elements are supported by the Google Maps application used by the interactive viewer on SciVerse and ScienceDirect. Please take this limitation into account when preparing your files to ensure that they will be displayed correctly with your online article.

For a comprehensive description of KML elements supported by Google Maps, click here. Some notable limitations include:

• Maximum file size 3 Mb
• Maximum of 10 network links
• Maximum of 1000 elements
• No time-animated elements
• No 3D models

You are strongly encouraged to validate your KML file before submitting it to Elsevier by importing it to Google Maps (maps.google.com). You can do this by logging in using your Google account, and then select “My places” > “Create Map” > “Import”.

KML is a data standard for geographical information connected to specific locations on Earth (and beyond). At a technical level, KML is an XML specification that has been recognized as an official standard by the Open Geospatial Consortium. It enjoys wide support by Geographic Information System (GIS) software including Google Earth.

More information on the KML standard can be found at the following resources:
Keyhole Markup Language on Wikipedia
KML Frequently Asked Questions on Google Code

The KML format is supported by many specialized GIS software applications, including (but not limited to) the following:

• ArcGIS. See this overview of KML support in ArcGIS;
• Autodesk. See this Features page;
• Bentley. See MicroStation's Google Earth Tools Integration documentation;
• GeoMedia. See Export to Google Earth (KML) on the GeoMedia Wiki .
• Google Earth. See, for example, Packaging Content in a KMZ File.
• GRASS. KML output is supported through the add-on routine v.out.kml, see this entry in the manual;
• Quantum GIS, look for "kml" on these release notes;
• SAGA. See these instructions.
• TNTmips. See the Direct Use of KML/KMZ Files document.

If your GIS system cannot export data in the KML format, Google Earth also lets you import a variety of GIS data formats and save these as KML. The following resources provide more information on converting other file formats to KML:

•  Importing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data in Google Earth
•  Converting GIS Vector Data to KML

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