Introduction
The New York Geological Association (NYSGA) has been holding Field Conferences, and keeping the Guidebooks that these have generated, since the early 1950's. Essentially "self-published," these Guidebooks often contain detailed descriptions of rocks and localities which cannot be found anywhere else.
In addition to descriptions of rocks, roadcuts and regions, these Guidebooks also contain the interpretations of their authors. Not subjected to the formal peer review process that occurs in other publications, these works are instead subjected to the sometimes spirited criticism which takes place in the field. Unfortunately, that has not been preserved...
Although modified by nature, and often obscured by anthropogenic construction and destruction, most of the rocks are still there. And, thanks to the efforts of the NYSGA, most of the Guidebooks are still with us, as well. This project seeks to make this treasure trove of geological information more easily accessible to interested parties by putting their road logs into a kml format which can be used by Google Earth.
Our goal is to put these documents into a modern geographic display. Often the roads have changed, sometimes Interstates and other road construction have removed outcrops, and when we have been able to decipher those changes, we have noted these modifications. However we have avoided making any changes in the text, even if current thinking is at odds with the opinions expressed there.Our (limited) objectives:
- Construct kml files from the road logs in the Guidebooks.
- Color code the routes and stops in such a way that different trips covering the same region have different colors
- Include sufficient information in the titles of the stops so that Google Earth can search them effectively
- Links to the DEC Unique Geologic Features page, where appropriate
How this project might be extended:
- We should make it possible to suggest alternative localities, like "Alternate Stop 3A," if the original one is no longer available, or if a better one nearby shows the same stuff
- Photos of the outcrops at the time of the conference, and at later and/or earlier times, might be a nice addition
- Many Guidebooks contain useful maps (e.g. glacial lake boundaries) which could also be put into a Google Earth format as overlays
- Some sort of web based Wiki, Forum, etc. could be used to accomplish the goals listed above
What's in it for the NYSGA?
- Publicity
- Perhaps more interest in leading trips or hosting conferences
- Maybe more Guidebook sales
- Some recognition of the contributions of the many authors over the many years involved
Long term challenges:
Google Earth requires live updating. This means that the links which we put into our kml files need to be maintained on somebody's server. We can try to minimize these, and try hard to keep track of just which ones we have and must maintain, but if photos, etc., are going to be added the server requirements may become onerous, or at least expensive.
