Projection Obstacles

In lab 2, we learn how to repair misaligned and improperly referenced spatial data. Coordinate system information (such as area, angles, direction, and distance) are crucial when working with spatial information but, improperly referenced data is a common occurrence. When this spatial data is projected into a different coordinate system, this may cause problems in how it is displayed when added to the map (Misaligned layer). To fix this, you would have to use ArcToolbox and use the Data Management Tools to change the layer’s projection into the right coordinate system.

Landsat Data Advantages

Landsat is a remote sensing program that has been continuously scanning earth since 1972.  It uses sunlight as its energy source and measures the response of objects and surfaces on Earth. Landsat satellites are able to use different wavelengths to produce images of the objects and surfaces of the Earth.

Landsat data is used to measure land change due to natural disasters, for example the effects of the tsunami on the coastal vegetation before and after the tsunami. A research question for geographical analysis would be like this: ‘What was the effects did a natural disaster such as Tsunami have on the coastal vegetation in a specific location?  The location you would choose would be the specific location in which the Tsunami happened in (e.g. The 2004 Indian ocean Tsunami in Acheh, Indonesia). The interval in which you would used would be 2 weeks before the tsunami, the period after the Tsunami, and 10 years after the tsunami. It is important to take into account of seasonal changes when looking at the data, for example, for the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami data, you would have to look out for monsoon seasons.