2012 Research Experience for Undergraduates in Ocean, Marine, and Polar Science

1. Utilizing Data Sets from the CReSIS Data Archives to Visualize Greenland Echograms Information in Google Earth 2012 Research Experience for Undergraduates in Ocean, Marine, and Polar Science

2. Team Members Shaquia Johnson Mississippi Valley State University Maya Smith Winston-Salem State University Mentor: Mr. Jeff Wood

3. Abstract Since 1993, the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) has been gathering ice thickness data in Greenland. This information is in various formats such as: Postscript Document Format (PDF), Joint Photographer Expert Group (JPEG), Keyhole Markup Language (KML), and Comma Separated Values (CSV). These formats display data in individual visualizations while another format; Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) will display multiple sources of data, but in the proprietary software application only. The goal of this project was to combine the non-MATLAB visualizations into one window utilizing the PHP Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language and Google Earth. These product files would be simple in their construction, easily adaptable to new data formats, and provide continued display of newly acquired data. The PHP Hypertext Preprocessor language was used to modify the Keyhole Markup Language files to add description tags in order to display data from other formats. The combined files were displayed in the geographical program Google Earth available as a free download to users.

4. Introduction • CReSIS • Partners

5. Types of Data • Accumulation Radar • KU-band Radar altimeter • Radar depth sounder • Snow radar

6. Data Visualization • KML • CSV • JPEG • MatLab • PolarGrid GIS Server

7. Scripting Languages • Overview • PHP • JavaScript • PHP XML DOM

8. PHP • Overview • Uses • Platform • Dreamweaver

9. XML • Overview • Structure

10. XML DOM • Overview • Tree structure Root Node <school>Parent Node & Attribute Node <building category=“academic">Child Node <room>Sub-Child Node <chairs>20</chairs>Sub-Child Node <desks>6</desks>Sub-Child Node <computers>14</computers> End Child Node </room>End of Parent Node </building>End of Root Node </school>

11. Google Earth • Overview • Visualization

12. KML • Overview • Structure • Project KML

13. Data Location CSV • Overview • Excel KML Flight Date Number Radar Depth Sounder JPEG Accumulation Flight Date Number MatLab

14. Function Output_file • Read the file • Ensures browser has the mime type • Opens file in proper application • Modification- kml, Google Earth 14 of 26

15. Importing Echogram URLs • Open text file • URL -> Array • Close text file

16. Retrieve CReSIS KML file • file_get_contents

17. tempKMLflight • Open tempKMLflight.kml • Flight path data -> temporary file • Close temporary file

18. DOM Set-up • New DOMDocument • Load temporary file • Locate First Node (Root) • Locate all "Placemark" elements • Count Placemarks

19. Modifying File Structure • Begin loop of Placemarks

20. Modifying File Structure • Build value for description • Joining PHP variable and HTML code • Echogram URL + Hyperlink + Image Source • Create new element

21. Save and Download File • Save tempKMLflight.kml • Call output_file function • Pass file name, path, mime

22. Example of Operation http://nia.ecsu.edu/reuomps2012/teams/data/research.html

23. Results • File combination in KML • Simple combination script • XML DOM

24. Conclusion • PHP XML DOM • Data Organization

25. Future Work • Migrate code to Google Maps • Work with CReSIS on data organization • Add other data files • Add older KML files (points vs. segments) • Rewrite PHP code

26. Questions? Questions?