Creating an Animation Map of Earthquakes in Kyrgyzstan using JavaScript Mapping APIs

In the previous level, we have discovered that the Kyrgyzstan has an untold history of seismic activity. The first step for the reduction of disaster risk is event documentation and mitigation. Unfolding history prepares society for the possible phenomena coming next. Inside this level, we focus on how temporal attribute of events can be implemented in web maps. 

Phenomena in the world can be defined by their space location and the time they are at. Therefore, one can analyse not only spatial distribution but also their evolvement in time i.e., the spatiotemporal dynamics. Modern technology enables to use computational models to store, analyse, and visualize the complexity of spatiotemporal dynamics (Shaw & Ye, 2019).

Peuquet (1994) claims that any spatial process has a temporal element to be investigated, the evolvement depicts the cause-and-effect relationships and promotes the understanding of the phenomenon. Although, even nowadays, it is a critical question of how to visualize the phenomena in a spatiotemporal manner effectively and efficiently.

Prominent examples of spatiotemporal visualization are animated maps especially while dealing with web cartography. “The animated maps display time to illustrate the change in location, attributes, or existence over real time” (Fish, 2018). Specifically in this level, we will work with the sub-group of the animated maps i.e., the dynamic symbol map (Fish, 2018). The maps are very intuitive for the users as the temporal attribute is represented by time through utilization of the congruency principle (Tversky et al., 2002), compared to the representation of time through multiple static maps. However, map readers may experience a variety of cognitive limits such as an overload of their comprehension abilities or change blindness (Fish, 2018).

Dynamic variables of animated maps according to DiBiase et al. (1990) are the rate of change, order, and duration. These are true for all animated maps and should be adjusted according to the map’s purpose. Temporal legends complement the map application and change as the map changes. Well-designed temporal legend allows the user to identify what happened when (Kraak et al. 1997). The most popular is the slidebar temporal legend, however, Google Maps API enables utilisation of only the numerical-temporal legend through a calendar.

All in all, the animated map is an attractive and effective method of spatiotemporal visualization. The involvement of modern technologies enhances the understanding of spatial phenomena. This lesson will guide you through the current possibilities for mapping spatiotemporal dynamics via the three APIs available.

Have fun!