Lecture 7: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

What is GIS?

How do we use GIS? Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications in the Active Tectonics Research Group

Learning aids for GIS

Arizona Geology Demonstration

• Tour of ArcGIS and the difference between the components (ArcMap, ArcScene, ArcCatalogue, etc.)
• Tour of ArcMap and its main components
• Tour of data types in the example of Arizona GIS--Make sure you know the difference between RASTER and VECTOR data!!
• RASTER=Matrix of identically sized square cells (called pixels) arranged in a grid of rows and columns. Each contains a measured or estimated value for that location.
• Vector=Feature represented by a point, a line, or a polygon.
• A GIS map contains layers
• A layer may contain features or surfaces (Rasters)
• Features have shape and size
• Features have locations
• Features can be displayed at different sizes
• Features are linked to information: getting attributes from the different data types.
• Features have spatial relationships (inside, outside, etc.).