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Dynamic Digital Map of the Springerville Volcanic Field and the DDM-Template: An example of an open-source tool to distribute maps, data, articles, and multi-media materials

2010; Geological Society of America; Volume: 6; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1130/ges00531.1

1553-040X

C. D. Condit,

Geological Modeling and Analysis

Dynamic Digital Maps (DDMs) are computer programs that manage the display and distribution of high-quality color maps, digital images, movies, analytical data, and explanatory text, including field guides. They do this in a cross-platform format that opens associated files of maps, images, and movies either from a local device (e.g., a hard drive) or from a web source (server). DDMs are intuitive to use, can be easily and quickly searched for sample and image sites and analytical data, and require no additional software such as web browsers or readers to operate. DDMs fill a niche between the extremes in the digital mapping world that range from a simple digital copy of a paper map to the highly linked geographic information system (GIS) product. A DDM enables one to create an integrated study that confines its focus on a specific map, unlike other interfaces. They offer an ideal way to present, for example, premeeting or postmeeting field trips, so they can be pre-run or revisited, enriching the experience. All DDM maps and images can be saved to disk for printing, and data saved to tab-delimited files. DDMs are made using the open-source DDM-Template, written in the cross-platform programming environment Runtime Revolution, as assisted by videos, tutorials, and the DDM-Cookbook. The DDM of the Springerville volcanic field, the example used here to demonstrate these capabilities, was made from this template. The template is highly extensible, and ongoing modifications and updates are available, as are more than 20 other examples of DDMs.