GeoMapApp: A High-Impact, Free Tool for Geoscience Educators

Over the past fifteen years, GeoMapApp, a widely-used free geoscience data discovery and visualisation tool, has evolved to better serve the needs of both educators and researchers. Developed at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, GeoMapApp integrates a wide range of geoscience data in one intuitive map-based interface (http://www.geomapapp.org). Improvements based upon user feedback have made the tool more accessible for STEM teaching, both at the university and high-school levels.

Research-grade built-in geoscience data sets feature prominently in GeoMapApp. Examples include real-time earthquake catalogues from the US Geological Survey, volcano data from the Smithsonian Institution, gravity and magnetics data from NOAA-NCEI-NGDC, seismic velocity tomographic models from IRIS, geochemical analytical data from the EarthChem databases, and geodetic plate motion velocities from UNAVCO. The base map comprises high-resolution ocean bathymetry and land elevations from the GMRT synthesis.

The GeoMapApp interface seamlessly integrates data allowing users to more easily gain insight and understanding from the data without having to overcome complex or obscure data formats. Simple visualisation and profiling tools allow users to analyse the data in different ways.

GeoMapApp allows students to explore and analyse the same data using the same tool as researchers. Educators report that using GeoMapApp in the classroom and lab lowers the barriers to data accessibility for students; fosters an increased sense of data "ownership"; allows engagement with authentic geoscience data; and promotes exposure to STEM skills. One recent enhancement, the Save Session functionality, has particularly high impact in the classroom and is ideal for teaching virtual classes. It allows a pre-loaded state of state of GeoMapApp to be shared with the class, thus freeing up valuable in-class time in which students can explore the data. A range of data import options also allows students to upload their own data. In this presentation, a range of GeoMapApp data sets and capabilities relevant to educators will be highlighted, along with updates made since the last version.

Figure caption: GeoMapApp South Atlantic profiles - Combined crustal age, gravity FAA data, and GMRT bathymetry.