Question: Topo Maps in Google Earth?

Evan Roberts asks,

Why do you think Google hasn’t integrated USGS topographic quads as a layer in Google Earth? Not enough of a demand? Not relevant to its business model? Don’t want to step on the toes of GPS partners? I’ve seen examples of users’ attempts to overlay topo in GE and, combined with the “Terrain” layer, the results can be fantastic! Any thoughts?

It’s an interesting question, in that (1) I thought that USGS data was freely available and (2) the terrain layer is fantastic in and of itself, but with a topo map overlay would be better still. Though it’s probably unanswerable in terms of “why isn’t Google doing this?” The bottom line is: the data is available, though not as a default — and once you load a layer in, the difference between Google’s layers and third-party layers isn’t really noticeable, is it?

I am aware of a few relevant links. A few days after Evan wrote in with his question, I got an e-mail from Matt Fox about his archive of historical topo maps for Google Earth: “The Google Earth Map Archive contains over 500 Historic USGS Topographic Maps for Google Earth. The maps date back to the late 1800s and right now are mostly for California, but more maps are being added all the time.”

There’s also some material on acquiring topo map raster images to use in Google Earth: this post on Ogle Earth points to a few sources; this post on Google Earth Blog points to a method of creating image overlays.

Finally, though it’s for Google Maps rather than Earth, BackcountryMaps is a mashup that integrates USGS topo maps and aerial data with the Google Maps API.

Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 8:35 AM
Categories: Google Earth, Hacks & Mashups, Questions, Topo Maps & Trails

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Comments

The 3D Solar addon will add a layer of current USGS topo maps to Google Earth. Although they are served from a map server instead of the slick server that google uses for it’s images. The 3d Solar addon is here:

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=EarthExternalData&Number=52813&fpart=&PHPSESSID=

Matt

Matt Fox | 03/09/2006 at 11:01 AM | #

Here’s where I think the big differences lie between a Google layer and a 3rd party layer:

The obvious first is that when you tilt down into a perspective view, the ‘image’ (or network link) layer only covers a small area where the built in Google Earth layer goes all the way out to the horizon. I like the way NASAs WorldWind loads in chunks (in the background) so it’s able to more or less show 3rd party images all the way to the horizon.

Anytime you refresh an image or network layer, the previous image disappears as it refreshes. The Google layers use a ‘progressive’ refinement that make the experience a whole lot more seamless.

Creating dynamic image overlays (using WMS or something) could definitely be improved upon so that it would be trivial for a user to add ANY WMS layer, not just topo layers.

I have done a lot of fun hacking with Geoserver and Mapserver and php wms redirector scripts do accomplish some amazing things in Google Earth, but a few minor improvements could open the door to those less inclined to run their own GIS server!

eric | 03/09/2006 at 2:47 PM | #

In answer to your query, I’ve posted a really good topomap network link which makes it easy to get USGS topomaps for anywhere in the US (although I see someone else posted about the full version). You just move to where you want your map, and about 5 seconds later you have it.

Read the story I’ve written here.

Frank Taylor | 03/09/2006 at 5:20 PM | #

you might try this place

http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/kml_overlay

slim | 04/01/2006 at 10:41 AM | #

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