Geographic Information Systems for Geoscientists, Volume 13

Foreword. Preface. Introduction to GIS. What is GIS? Purpose of GIS. GIS and related computer software. Custodial versus project-related GIS. Geological application of GIS. References. Spatial Data Models. Introduction. Spatial objects. Raster and vector spatial data models. Attribute data. The relational model. References. Spatial Data Structures. Introduction. Raster structures. Vector data structures. References. Spatial Data Input. Introduction. Data sources. Map projections. Digitizing. Coordinate conversion. References. Visualization and Query of Spatial Data. Introduction. Display of cartographic images. Display hardware for digital images. Colour. Visualization of surfaces. Dynamically-linked data views. Spatial query. References. Spatial Data Transformations. Introduction. Point-to-area conversions. Dilation of spatial objects. Sampling transformations. References. Tools for Map Analysis: Single Maps. Introduction. Map reclassification. Operations on attribute tables. Spatial, topological and geometrical modelling. Operations on spatial neighbourhoods. Join-count statistics. References. Tools for Map Analysis: Map Pairs. Introduction. Two-map overlays and map modelling. Correlation between two maps. Other topics. Summary. References. Tools for Map Analysis: Multiple Maps. Introduction. Boolean logic models. Index overlay models. Fuzzy logic method. Bayesian methods. Summary. References. Appendices. Index.

40 illus.

This valuable reference book is unique in its coverage of examples from the geological sciences, many centred on applications to mineral exploration. The underlying principles of GIS are stressed and emphasis placed on the analysis and modelling of spatial data with applications to site selection and potential mapping. The book commences with a definition of GIS and describes a case study of mapping mineral potential. The ways in which spatial data are organized with models (raster, vector, relational) are discussed and data structures, such as quadtrees and topological structures are introduced. Data input including digitizing, geographic projections and conversions is covered together with output (visualization, representation of colour and spatial query). Spatial data transformations are dealt with thoroughly and attention is paid to map analysis and modelling as related to single maps, map pairs and multiple maps respectively. Methods of quantifying the associations between pairs of maps are emphasized. Finally, examples of landfill site selection and mineral potential mapping illustrate the application of map algebra for combining maps and tables with models, employing Boolean logic, index weighting, fuzzy logic and probability methods such as weights of evidence. There is an extensive glossary of terms, and references accompany each chapter. Contains 40 pages of colour illustrations.

For students and professionals in all geoscience applications including mineral and oil exploration, resource assessment, environmental analysis and assessment, geological engineering, terrain science, remote sensing, soil science, regional mapping, medical geology and hazard analysis. Also of interest to all GIS users involved in planning, physical geography, image processing, forestry, agriculture, coastal management and wildlife ecology.