A new ESRI-powered mapping application allows anyone to freely create and share dynamic oil spill economic impact maps. The application allows individuals to visualize and understand the spill’s economic effects related to fishing, boating, tourism, and employment in the vicinity of the Gulf of Mexico. They can quickly create a precise economic impact map of the area of interest using ZIP Codes or other location data, then share it using Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail.
“ESRI developed this application to provide a better understanding of what’s happening in the Gulf beyond the spill footprint,” says Russ Johnson, public safety manager, ESRI. “There is a lot of good data available from different government sources. Maps are a way to bring complex information together and quickly make sense of it. Our Web service is easy to use and provides location-specific information for areas throughout the Gulf states.”
The ESRI-developed application provides an interactive map of the Gulf Coast, along with data overlays illustrating the current size and location of the oil plume. Data updates provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) include beached oil and oil spill concentrations and areas of uncertainty. People can visualize the oil spill data on top of economic data to gain a better understanding of the disaster’s impact. They can then create their own specific maps based on their area of interest and the available business data they want to view.
In addition, the application gives anyone the tools to easily embed the economic impact mapping functionality into their own Web pages.
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