Picture a geologist. Do you imagine someone who spends their days in remote field areas looking at rocks? Our planet and its geology can also be studied from space using only a computer and NASA data.
Your challenge is to create an app that enables geologists to use NASA’s Earth observation data to conduct research. Use your imagination to show us that geology doesn’t always require field work to rock!
BACKGROUND
Geology is more than just the study of rocks, it is also the study of Earth’s physical structure and the processes that continue to shape the planet we live on. You may not realize this, but geology is all around us. The landscape you see is the result of Earth processes that create mountains and erode them away, move rivers, and even form new oceans. Geology is also used to identify the minerals we rely on like silica, which is used to make concrete and microchips for phones and is even used in food preservation, as well as potash, which is used in the fertilizer that helps us grow food. Geology can also enable us to predict and respond to many natural hazards and potential disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, flooding, and erosion.
When you think of a geologist you might think of someone in the field collecting rocks, but not all geologists love the outdoors. Geologists can study all the above Earth processes from space from the comfort of their office, kitchen, or couch! NASA’s Earth data archives provide satellite and airborne observations that can be used to study all aspects of the Earth system—from locating rare minerals, to observing dust in deserts, or even studying tectonic movement along the San Andreas Fault.
OBJECTIVES
Now it's your turn! Your challenge is to design an app that enables geologists to use NASA’s Earth observation data to conduct research. Your app could use NASA Earth observation data to provide information about Earth materials such as rocks and minerals, Earth processes such as plate tectonics and erosion, or landscape features such as mountains, rivers, and volcanoes. Geologists could use your app to advance geological research or to predict and/or respond to disasters. Feel free to go “boulder,” as long as your solution features Earth’s geology!
Stuck for ideas? Think about your geological interests! Are you interested in finding gold with data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER)? Or are you more concerned with protecting people from disasters using Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) data to warn of a potential volcanic eruption?
Once you select a topic, use your imagination to create an app that uses NASA Earth observations to address that geological problem.
POTENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS
You may (but are not required to) consider the following:
New to remote sensing? You could review NASA’s backgrounder on remote sensing (see link in Resources section) The backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview—from sensor characteristics, to different types of resolution, to data processing and analysis. You may also review NASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) Program (see link in the Resources section).
Are you searching for inspiration? Explore the NASA Earth Observatory Stories in the Resources section to see how data are connected to geological phenomena from around the world. As you review each story, think about the following:
What geological phenomena are being observed with Earth observing data?
How might these data be used in a web app by geologists to improve their work?
What other phenomena does this story make you think of?
Get inspired by other data users: Explore the Data User Stories in the Resources section to learn how scientists are using NASA data to understand Earth’s geology for research, public safety, and other applications. As you review each story, think about the following:
What are the research questions these individuals are asking?
What data are they using to address these questions?
How might you design an app to help these individuals to access and use data to address questions like these or other related questions?
What additional data would be useful in this app that could help them with their research or problem?
What other applications does this story make you think of?
Do you have an idea but are not sure where to start? Perhaps you are interested in working with data for earthquakes, volcanoes, or landslides applications but are not sure where or how to start. Check out the Data Pathfinders listed in the Resources section. Data Pathfinders guide users through the process of selecting application-specific datasets and learning how to use them through intuitive tools, facilitating equal and open access to the breadth of NASA Earth science data. The pathfinders are intended to familiarize users with and provide direct links to the applicable, commonly-used datasets across NASA’s Earth science data collections
For data and resources related to this challenge, refer to the Resources tab at the top of the page. More resources may be added before the hackathon begins.