%0 Conference Proceedings %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %D 2003 %T Converting paper geologic maps to digital products; the search for an effective method %A Stephen B Mabee %A Newton, R. %A Stepanov, A. %A Ene, D. %A Ivanov, D. %K #StaffPubs %K cartography %K data bases %K data processing %K digital cartography %K digital data %K geographic information systems %K geomorphology %K Geomorphology 23 %K government agencies %K information systems %K mapping %K massachusetts %K National Geologic Map Database %K NGMDB %K survey organizations %K United States %X MassGIS and the Office of the Massachusetts State Geologist are working collaboratively with the USGS to vectorize 85, published 7.5-minute surficial geologic maps in order to prepare a statewide coverage of the till-glacial stratified drift boundary. Conversion of old geologic maps from paper copies to new digital products is a complex task requiring an efficient method that minimizes errors and limits the need for heads-up digitizing. The main issue in the conversion is the accurate separation of line work (geologic contacts) on the map from the halftone colors in the polygon fills and achieving this without creating an extensive editing effort in the GIS environment. For this project, we elected to process the scanned and rectified images of the surficial geologic maps in Photoshop and adjust the resulting line work in ArcScan before vectorizing the polygons. Photoshop is an extremely sophisticated, commercial raster image editing software with a very user-friendly interface. Using tools such as the "Magic Wand" (selection of similar pixels with variable threshold control), "Select Color Range" (find all instances of similar colors), "Grow and Contract Selection", "Stroke Selection", and Photoshop "Layers", we are able to create a set of very accurate, noise free boundary lines, before the vectorization process occurs. This methodology is, in effect, "on the fly" editing of the boundary lines, eliminating the large number of errors and artifacts that "automated" vectorizing processes inevitably generate (and which must be tediously edited and/or removed later with vector editing software). Line tracings produced in Photoshop are exported to ArcScan where, using the original raster image as a background, a preview of the proposed vector is adjusted, if needed, using simple editing tools in ArcScan. Once an optimal match is achieved visually, the vectors are generated. The advantage of this approach is that the bulk of the line editing occurs early in the process, prior to vectorization, and can be achieved by moderately trained personnel using "off the shelf" commercial software. This provides greater control of the quality of the finished product because there are no computer generated false lines that need to be found and removed later with a much more complex process. %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %I Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States %C United States %V 35 %P 276 - 276 %8 2003/11/01/ %@ 00167592 %G eng %U https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2003AM/finalprogram/abstract_64322.htm %N 66 %! Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %0 Conference Proceedings %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %D 2004 %T An update of geologic mapping in Massachusetts %A Joseph P Kopera %A Stephen B Mabee %A Scott A Salamoff %A Hildreth, Carol %K #StaffPubs %K data %K data acquisition %K data processing %K digital data %K Geologic maps 14 %K mapping %K massachusetts %K National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program %K programs %K publications %K regional %K review %K STATEMAP %K United States %X Despite the state's relatively high population density and decades of detailed study of the bedrock geology, only about half of the 7.5' quadrangles in Massachusetts have been published as GQ series geologic maps. As the state's population continues to grow, the availability of basic geologic data becomes increasingly crucial for informed land-use and water-management decision making. Much of the published 1:24000 scale geologic mapping predates recent advances in the understanding of regional tectonics, and needs to be updated. The Office of the State Geologist has begun a geologic mapping program in Massachusetts to address these needs. Two mapping projects were conducted through the STATEMAP component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping program in 2003. These projects focused on 7.5' quadrangles along the I-495 corridor, which is experiencing extensive population growth and development. The first project involved conversion of published 1:24,000-scale surficial geology to digital form for 10 quadrangles in southeastern Massachusetts. A semi-automated process was developed for this project that easily converts published paper geologic maps into vectorized, georeferenced datalayers. The second project involved 1:24000-scale geologic mapping of the Marlborough quadrangle in east-central Massachusetts. Products include traditional maps of bedrock and surficial geology as well as two new prototype products: a fracture characterization map and a surficial materials map. These projects mark the first time in Massachusetts' history that quadrangle-scale geologic data will be available in digital form to consultants and stakeholders, thus greatly expediting and improving the use and analysis of all geologic data. In addition, the inclusion of fracture characterization and surficial materials maps adds substantially to the value of traditional geologic map products. The new maps provide supplemental data on the hydrologic characteristics of the bedrock and the vertical stacking of surficial deposits that previously was unavailable. STATEMAP projects in 2004 will continue to focus along the I-495 corridor, and will involve revision and new mapping in the Wilmington, Reading, South Groveland, Lawrence, Hudson, and Oxford quadrangles. %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %I Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States %C United States %V 36 %P 58 - 58 %8 2004/03/01/ %@ 00167592 %G eng %N 22 %! Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %0 Journal Article %J International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences [1997] %D 2010 %T Comparison of three fracture sampling methods for layered rocks %A Alex K Manda %A Stephen B Mabee %K #StaffPubs %K Big Quarry %K carbonates %K case studies %K data acquisition %K data processing %K dolomite %K Door Peninsula %K fractures %K geographic information systems %K ground water %K information systems %K joints %K layered materials %K mapping %K methods %K movement %K multiple scanline method %K northeastern Wisconsin %K numerical models %K permeability %K sampling %K selection method %K simulation %K single scanline method %K statistical analysis %K Structural geology 16 %K style %K three-dimensional models %K United States %K Wisconsin %X Three methods of fracture data collection are tested against each other in layered dolomitic rocks to evaluate the effectiveness of each method in sampling fracture properties. The methods tested are the single scanline method (SSM), selection method (SM), and multiple scanline method (MSM). Finite element techniques were first used to build a base model with the exact locations, sizes and orientations of each fracture observed in the natural fracture network. Then, a second set of models were stochastically generated using statistics from each sampling technique. For each network, the overall fracture intensity was used to assess the effectiveness of each sampling technique in capturing the real fracture properties. Fracture network permeability was also calculated for each of two directions to evaluate the transmissive properties of the networks. Although all three methods produced good matches of relative intensity and permeability between natural and synthetic fractures, the results reveal that a well-placed scanline performed the best at recreating natural fractures. However, the results from one variation of the SSM were only slightly better than the results from both versions of the SM. In general, the SSM provides the best results but possibly at heavy costs in time and labor, whereas the SM gives comparable results with less expenditure of energy and time. Thus, the SM is an adequate technique and recommended for use at large outcrops or where time, access or budget constraints are a concern. %B International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences [1997] %I Elsevier : Oxford-New York, International %C International %V 47 %P 218 - 226 %8 2010/02/01/ %@ 13651609 %G eng %U http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1365160909001804 %N 22 %! International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences [1997] %0 Journal Article %J Special Paper - Geological Society of America %D 2013 %T Overcoming the momentum of anachronism; American geologic mapping in a twenty-first-century world %A House, P. Kyle %A Clark, Ryan %A Joseph P Kopera %K #StaffPubs %K applications %K areal geology %K cartography %K computer programs %K data processing %K digital cartography %K geographic information systems %K Geologic maps 14 %K Global Positioning System %K history %K information systems %K laser methods %K lidar methods %K mapping %K methods %K technology %K United States %X The practice of geologic mapping is undergoing conceptual and methodological transformation. Profound changes in digital technology in the past 10 yr have potential to impact all aspects of geologic mapping. The future of geologic mapping as a relevant scientific enterprise depends on widespread adoption of new technology and ideas about the collection, meaning, and utility of geologic map data. It is critical that the geologic community redefine the primary elements of the traditional paper geologic map and improve the integration of the practice of making maps in the field and office with the new ways to record, manage, share, and visualize their underlying data. A modern digital geologic mapping model will enhance scientific discovery, meet elevated expectations of modern geologic map users, and accommodate inevitable future changes in technology. %B Special Paper - Geological Society of America %I Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States %V 502 %P 103 - 125 %8 2013/09/01/ %@ 00721077 %G eng %U http://specialpapers.gsapubs.org/content/502/103.abstract %! Special Paper - Geological Society of America