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Article: GIS data made available. (Geo-Currents: a look at recent geological news).(Geographic Information Systems)
- Article from:
- Rocks & Minerals
- Article date:
- May 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Heldref Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, are computer systems used for mapping and analyzing geographic data. GIS are versatile tools for studying many types of information, including geological data, and are used for scientific investigations and for managing resources. Until recently, the availability of extensive GIS data sets has been limited. Last fall, however, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the American Geological Institute (AGI) announced the public release of the USGS Global Geographic Information System database--GIS data covering the globe. This GIS runs on a personal computer and is intended for use by the general public as well as by educators.
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