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  • VIEWS & OPINION: more >>

  • Geomatics, surveying and measurement: more >>

    • How satellites help explain earth’s magnetic behaviour

      Information from ESA

      The earth’s protective magnetic field is always restless, but every now and then something weird happens – it jerks. Although scientists have known about these rapid shifts for about 40 years, the reason why they occur has remained a frustrating mystery, until now. Since geomagnetic jerks were discovered in 1978, scientists have been trying to […]

    • Using satellite imagery and machine learning to protect elephants

      by Isla Duporge, Dr. Olga Isupova and Dr. Steven Reece, University of Oxford

      African elephants are at risk in the majority of the countries where they live because of poaching. To plan long-term sustainable solutions to the stresses elephants are experiencing, it is necessary to have accurate data on elephant numbers and their geographical range to identify high-risk areas. There are several methods used to conduct elephant surveys, […]

    • Measuring accurate heights across a country

      Information from NOAA National Ocean Service

      A look at how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists are changing the way heights is measured accurately across the United States. Scientists at NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) maintain a nationwide coordinate system that defines latitude, longitude, height, scale, gravity, orientation, and the national shoreline throughout the United States. This reference system […]

  • 3D modelling, mapping and visualisation: more >>

    • Lessons from a map of southern Africa’s rivers that went viral

      by Sukhmani Mantel, Rhodes University and Stephanie Januchowski-Hartley, Swansea University

      Can you name the river closest to where you live? Have you ever seen that river, or others near you, on a map unlike others you have seen before? We have spent a lot of time considering these questions and others related particularly to maps since a map of southern Africa’s rivers that one of […]

    • Virtual reality for enterprise training solutions

      by Ross Adams and Darren Cohen, Business Science Corporation

      Virtual reality (VR) has many business applications, particularly as a tool for improving training. This article is based on the experience of the authors in building such VR training applications and explores typical use cases and considerations for several industries, most notably training solutions. Virtual reality (VR) consists of a computer-generated simulation of a 3D […]

    • Online tool to simplify environmental sensitivity screening

      by Deon Marais, Department of Environmental Affairs

      The National Web based Environmental Screening Tool developed by the Department of Environmental Affairs aims is to provide users with readily available spatial datasets to fast track the environmental assessment process by providing timeous reports with less frustration. In November 2015 the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) embarked on the development of a “National Web […]

  • GIS, geospatial data, processing and applications: more >>

    • Developing an integrated data service ecosystem

      by André Engelbrecht and Amelia Hilgart, SAEON

      For the past year, SAEON’s uLwazi Node has been developing a data services ecosystem and websites for climate change adaptation for the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). Each service serves as an individual component for a different aspect of climate adaptation, including adaptation monitoring and evaluation, climate change response, and detailing disaster impact along with […]

    • A quick intro to geospatial standards and why they matter to you

      by Marna Roos, AfriGIS

      There is a buzzword every year. We seem to have our pick of three letter acronyms and catch phrases in boardrooms in the same way we have top 20 music hits on the radio. “Geographical standards” have become one of those flavoured phrases.  Geographical standards, however, is a word we should become familiar with as […]

    • Screening tool simplifies environmental authorisation process

      Information from Esri South Africa

      The Department of Environmental Affairs’ Environmental Screening tool is a national online GIS-based tool which creates a centralised system for generating environmental sensitivity reports for areas of proposed development. The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is responsible for protecting, conserving and improving the South African environment and its natural resources. As part of its mandate, […]

  • ConstructionIT and MiningIT: more >>

    • 3D laser scanning workflow overview for newbies

      by Carel Rootman, Worldsview Technologies

      This article looks at  point cloud basics and a workflow which will enable capturing and processing of a 3D laser scan. Laser scanners collect surface data about an object or structure by beaming a laser repeatedly off its surface and plotting points (equivalent to each beam that is emitted) into what is known as a […]

    • Insights and long-term value of the Notre-Dame Cathedral 3D project

      by Marie-Caroline Rondeau, Leica Geosystems and Larry Hertz, Vassar College

      In 2011, the late Prof. Andrew Tallon used 3D laser scanning to map the Notre-Dame Cathedral. On 15 April 2019 the conflagration of the cathedral’s spire highlight the cultural and historical value of a geospatial technologies such as 3D laser scanning, far beyond its initial value of understanding the construction of Gothic architecture. The advent […]

    • Six considerations for choosing a machine control receiver

      Information from Septentrio

      Looking for a GPS receiver for moving earth, mining or construction? Here are important things to bear in mind. GPS receivers can either assist operators in making better decisions by providing precise position information (indicate-only mode) or the GPS receiver, as part of a guidance system, can take over the operation of the machine’s implement […]