3-D Cartography

The expansion of cartography in to the realm of the third-dimension has been an explosive process. It has led to the development of new ways of understanding the world around us through the application of new types of spatial analysis techniques that would not be possible in two dimensions. Below are some examples of what new 3-D cartography is out there:

Bathymetry
Much of the ocean floor is deep beneath the surface of the water, and is unmapped and unexplored. Bathymetry is the technology that allows the display of the topography of the earth’s underwater surfaces. This is one realm into which 3-D cartography is expanding. Here is a link to learn more about bathymetry

World Wind

3-D Globes
There are several examples of this new 3-D technology (Google Earth and NASA World Wind are two more well known examples). These forms of 3-D cartography are very cool ways of looking at the world and are also very useful tools for cartographers or the general public. I at least know that Google Earth has provided me with many good images to use on posters and GIS projects. Here is a link to a google earth blog that has cool google images. And here is a link to a YOUTUBE trailor that shows features of NASA's World Wind.

Google Earth