Thematic Imagery: Ala Archa National Park

This satellite visualization of Ala Archa National Park in Kyrgyzstan was developed to support land cover analysis and glacier mapping for an upcoming American Alpine Club map. The imagery integrates NDVI, a decorrelation stretch (component 3), and a band combination of bands 2 and 1 in RGB.

The processing approach enhances differentiation between snow and glacial ice while also distinguishing various land cover types across mountainous terrain. By combining vegetation indices with spectral band math, the image supports detailed thematic cartography at a spatial resolution of 15 meters.

Location: Ala Archa National Park, Kyrgyzstan

• Resolution: 15 meters
• Sensor: MODIS ASTER VNIR
• Software: PCI Geomatica Focus
• Techniques: Decorrelation Stretch, NDVI, Band Math
• Author: Martin Gamache (USA)
• Unique Geomorphologic Image: Ayers Rock (Uluru)
• Contest Category: Unique Geomorphologic Images

This high-resolution IKONOS image captures Ayers Rock—also known as Uluru—within Kata Tjuta National Park in central Australia. Acquired on January 17, 2004, the imagery represents a true-color depiction of the world’s largest monolith and one of Australia’s most iconic natural landmarks.

Uluru rises 1,142 feet (348 meters) above the surrounding desert plain and spans 5.8 miles (9.4 km) in circumference. The one-meter resolution provides remarkable surface detail while preserving the natural color fidelity of the sandstone formation and surrounding terrain.

• Location: Australia
• Resolution: 1 meter
• Sensor: IKONOS
• Software: ERDAS IMAGINE 8.7, Sensor Systems RemoteView 2.4.1
• Author: Val Webb (USA)
• Image Map: Eagle of the Sea
• Contest Category: Image Maps
• Application Areas: Public Safety, Exploration / Mining, Urban & Regional Planning

This composite image, derived from Landsat-7 ETM data collected in August 1999, presents a visually striking formation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The RGB combination (bands 5-8-3) reveals a pattern resembling an eagle—its head positioned in the upper left and wings extended as if poised to strike.

The image underwent orthorectification using a digital elevation model and was projected in UTM Zone 20 (NAD83). The panchromatic band received a custom high-pass filter to enhance feature definition. Multiresolution compositing further refined visual clarity at a resolution of 12.5 meters.

• Location: Gulf of St. Lawrence
• Resolution: 12.5 meters
• Sensor: Landsat-7 ETM
• Software: PCI

Techniques: Multiresolution Color Composite, Orthorectification with DEM

• Author: Alain Coulombe (Canada)
• 2004 Contest Winners
• Thematic Imagery: Blue Marble

Created by Reto Stöckli at NASA, the Blue Marble visualization integrates MODIS sensor data from the Terra spacecraft into a seamless 3D global rendering.

The composition merges three environmental layers:

• True-color land surface imagery including vegetation, deserts, and snow cover
• False-color sea surface temperature (SST), with warm waters in red and cooler regions in blue
• Three-dimensional cloud structures derived from cloud-top temperature and reflectance values
• The dataset, compiled at 1 km global resolution, illustrates the Earth as an interconnected system of land, ocean, and atmosphere.
• Image Maps: Around the World in 180 Million Years

Harold McMahon of ER Mapper developed this global tectonic visualization integrating fault lines, continental plates, and color-coded ocean floor age data. Supplemental datasets include GTOPO30 elevation data from USGS and “The Living Earth” thematic layers.

The map illustrates planetary tectonic evolution while blending scientific data with refined cartographic presentation.

Geomorphologic Images: Around the World in 30 Seconds

Also produced by Harold McMahon, this project leverages GTOPO30 elevation data to present rapid global terrain perspectives. The map forms part of a thematic series demonstrating the analytical and visualization capabilities of ER Mapper.

Prize Recipients (Randomly Selected Voters):

Sergio Menichetti, Mark Patterson, Monica L. Gerberding, Michael Wilton, and Bernard Cornelis received awards including a jump drive, cordless mouse and keyboard, and MP3 player.