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Google.orghttp://www.google.org/egs/The energy from the heat beneath the earth's surface is essentially an unlimited resource. What if it could be developed to help solve our energy challenges and fight global warming? Enhanced Geothermal Systems, or EGS, attempts to do just that. EGS produces heat and electricity by harnessing the energy from hot rock deep below the earth's surface, expanding the potential of traditional geothermal energy by orders of magnitude. EGS is a big challenge, but with the potential to power the world many times over, it demands our immediate attention. At Google we've launched an effort to advance EGS through R&D, investment, policy and information.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/geotherman_energy_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/geotherman_energy_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth 4.3
Dr Mark Mulliganhttp://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/sspp/geography/research/emm/geodata/trees.html" A picture is worth a thousand words " is one phrase many of us are familiar with. This proverb most certainly applies to this KML, which provides a visually impacting set of overlays to illustrate deforestation worldwide. Changes in tree cover from 2000 - 2005 can be explored through animated overlays to show which areas are being worst hit.
Note that some of the data may take several moments to load, but once loaded offers us all an unprecedented insight into the changes taking place on our planet.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/forest_cover_change_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/forest_cover_change_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
Dr Mark Mulliganhttp://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/sspp/geography/research/emm/geodata/geowikis.htmlView and contribute to developing a global database of dams.One of the things I like best about Google Earth, is the participatory mapping element of it, where the current 350,000,000 number of users of Google Earth, are as the local experts, building the maps of the future. Dr Mark Mulligan from Kings College London is one individual who is facilitating this effort by providing a KML in which you, the user can explore and contribute to collecting a global database of dams.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/dams_database_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/dams_database_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
Spot Imagehttp://www.spotimage.comView the locations where natural (and sometimes man made) disasters have occurred.From floods affecting thousands in the UK to earthquakes in Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan, this KML created by Spot Image documents disasters (both natural and man made) that have affected our planet. Each placemark provides a geographical reference point with links to maps and additional information. By using "network links" (a tutorial is available in our "tutorials" section), this KML can be updated as required without you, the user needing to take any action to see the latest information.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/spot_image_disasters_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/spot_image_disasters_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
David Trysehttp://david.tryse.net/googleearth/Learn about the world's worst oil disasters viewing when and where they occurred.David Tryse has become somewhat of a KML legend over the past year, pushing the boundaries of KML and producing some wonderful KML 'stories' (his EDGE case study can be found in the Case Studies section of the Outreach site). This KML provides an account of "Black Tides" from the 1960's onwards - each spill represented by a 'polygon' and description balloon providing photographs and additional information.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/black_tides_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/black_tides_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
International Center for Integrated Mountain Developmenthttp://www.icimod.orgClimb Mount Everest with the Eco Everest Expedition team.This spring, the Eco Everest Expedition team will ascend Mount Everest and in tandem with moments of personal self doubt, triumph and experiences that will never be forgotten, members will conduct scientific experiments to study the impact of climate change on glacial features within the expedition extent.
In exploring this in-depth KML, you will discover videos, wonderful photographs, flood modeling and up to the date "Dispatches" as they happen so you too can feel a part of the expedition - all from the comfort and oxygen rich environment of your own home. Viewing tip: Be sure to turn on the "Terrain" in your "Layers" panel for full effect.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/eco_everest_expedition_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/eco_everest_expedition_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
Texas A&M University Librarieshttp://repository.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/2490View historial map overlays documenting U.S geology.In this KML, you are able to view mapping overlays produced by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1894 and 1945. Each location provides overlays for several types of map ranging from topographical to economic. N.B. Some of the map overlays may take several minutes to load.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/geologic_atlas_us_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/geologic_atlas_us_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
UNEP/GEF South China Sea Projecthttp://www.unepscs.orgExplore a layer providing information about the environment of the South China Sea.This highly informative layer presents an account of one of the world's most diverse marine environments - the South China Sea. With extensive information, this layer provides details of the government ministries and departments, research institutes, and universities working on projects in the region.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/south_china_sea_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/south_china_sea_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
Zoological Society of London: EDGE of Existence programmehttp://www.edgeofexistence.orgView a KML showing EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) amphibian Species.This beautifully crafted KML illustrates the need to protect and conserve endangered wildlife. By using the Spreadsheet Mapper 2.0 tool (found in our tutorials), those at the EDGE of Existence programme have created a fascinating KML showing what amphibian species are endangered, where they are at risk and what you can do to help.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/edge_amphibians_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/edge_amphibians_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
Zoological Society of London: EDGE of Existence programmehttp://www.edgeofexistence.orgView a KML showing EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) mammal Species.This beautifully crafted KML illustrates the need to protect and conserve endangered wildlife. By using the Spreadsheet Mapper 2.0 tool (found in our tutorials), those at the EDGE of Existence programme have created a fascinating KML showing what mammal species are endangered, where they are at risk and what you can do to help.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/edge_mammals_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/edge_mammals_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
GreenInfo Networkhttp://www.greeninfo.orgExplore a KML highlighting 52 special places in America.Produced by the GreenInfo Network for the Sierra Club, this KML sets out to explore the diversity and beauty the American wilderness has to offer - and how these lands are at risk. Each placemark provides a well presented description bubble with further information, photographs and links.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/americas_wild_legacy_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/americas_wild_legacy_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
Adelia Barber, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (University of California, Santa Cruz)http://bio.research.ucsc.edu/people/doaklab/adelia.htmlTour the ecology and environment of the most ancient living trees on earth, the bristlecone pines.This Google Earth tour introduces users to the ecology and environment of the most ancient living trees on earth, the bristlecone pines (Pinus longaeva). Additionally, a sample week of scientific research with a team from the University of California’s White Mountain Research Station provides a good example of how field researchers can use Google Earth. Educators and students will find great information on the natural history of these incredible trees, and other scientists will come away with new ideas about to use Google Earth as a research tool.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/bristlecone_pine_research_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/bristlecone_pine_research_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
VITO - Flemish institute for technological researchhttp://www.vito.be/english/environment/tap.htmExplore animated overlays of global vegetation cover.In this KML, you can explore animated overlays of global vegetation cover from 2004 - 2006. These overlays were collected using remote sensing techniques and overlaid onto Google Earth for millions to see. The image overlays are fairly large in size and may require you to run the animation for several minutes to achieve full effect.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/vegetation_programme_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/vegetation_programme_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
UMBC - University of Maryland, Baltimore Countyhttp://www.umbc.edu/gesExplore a KML examining the influence of humans on planet Earth.This KML explores the influence of mankind on the planet. By annotating their data overlays on top of Google Earth, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County provides an insight into the way humans are interacting with ecosystems around the world.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/anthropogenic_biomes_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/anthropogenic_biomes_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
North Tree Fire Internationalhttp://www.northtreefire.com/gisView the perimeters of the devestating Southern California fires.This KML allows you to view the extent of the fires that occurred in Southern California. Information from the 2003 season and the recent devestating fires is available to show just how much land was affected.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/northtree_socal_fires_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/northtree_socal_fires_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
Szilágyi Gáborhttp://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/373620Take a tour of Hungary's national parks.In this file, we are treated to a tour of Hungary's national parks. With overlays, descriptions and photographs, this KML provides many forms of information set in a geospatial context.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/national_parks_hungary_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/national_parks_hungary_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
Matt Foxhttp://www.gelib.comView archived MODIS images of the day as overlays in Google Earth.Put together by Matt Fox at GE Library, this KML offers the best images captured by MODIS. Each of these images has been overlaid onto the Earth giving fascinating insight into various weather conditions - from dust storms in the Arabian gulf to Hurricanes in the gulf of Mexico. As these images are "superoverlays", you can zoom in further to see the image in higher quality.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/modis_gelib_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/modis_gelib_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
BuildingGreen, Inc.http://www.buildinggreen.comExplore a KML showcasing "Green" buildings."What are "green buildings"? This KML showcases buildings across the United States that are included in the Department of Energy's High Performance Buildings Database, which features buildings that meet certain energy and environmental performance guidelines. Be sure to click the "View 3D model in Google Earth" link to see a 3D virtual representation of the building."http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/great_green_buildings_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/great_green_buildings_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
Terradexhttp://www.terradex.comWhat is the air quality like right now? Find out here.This KML provides real time monitoring of the current air quality in the United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Updated every hour, air quality from hundreds of monitoring stations is shown giving a break down of the results. This type of KML can prove very useful for those with health problems (and those providing care), allowing them to plan their movement better and prepare for any potential issues that may arise from a peak in pollutants.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/terradex_air_quality_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/terradex_air_quality_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
NOAAhttp://estuarinebathymetry.noaa.govThink the terrain above land is varied? Try going underwater!Many of us have seen those terrain shaded maps which show the variable terrain above ground - but what about our "blue planet"? NOAA have created this KML which allows you to explore bathymetric (the study of water depth) data for many of America's esturies. To view, click on the placemark description bubble and open the top option "View Bathymetry". This will load an image overlay of the data captured, using a shaded relief scale. This kind of use is beneficial for many scientific studies - from erosion to navigation.http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/noaa_bathy_sm.jpghttp://earth.google.com/gallery/images/large/noaa_bathy_lg.jpgOpen in Google Earth
