| dc.description.abstract | Traditionally, geological maps have been tailored for a specialized audience, demanding domain knowledge for meaningful use. However, in response to contemporary societal challenges and the growing call for increased openness and transparency in public governance, there is a pressing need for geoscience maps that are accessible and comprehensible to a wider and more diverse range of users. As digitalization offers new possibilities and faces increasing demands, a vast amount of geological data and knowledge is accessible and machine-readable through standardized services. Despite these advancements, practical experience indicates that these maps are not utilized to their full potential, and there is a concern that they may not be comprehended accurately. It is imperative to enhance the comprehensibility of these maps for a broader user base and ensure their usability by both people and machines. This highlights a gap between geoscience map production efforts and insights from cartographic research.
Within geoscience, a rich tradition of map creation exists. Nevertheless, there remains a disconnect between geoscience and cartographic research. This study addresses this gap by integrating cartographic research methods into the geological map production process. The study started by identifying and studying specific challenges within geoscience visualization. This was done by exploring a broad range of materials, along with workshops and discussions with peers within this and other geological organizations. Then, three consecutive experiments were performed in the period of October 2016 and December 2021 to study these challenges in-depth. The primary objective of the first experiment was to examine participants' cognitive representations of the city's subsurface through the analysis of sketches they drew. The findings indicated a general lack of detailed knowledge and shared graphical and linguistic framework. However, it is also possible to see the contours of a common cognitive image of the subsurface, which can facilitate the communication of geological information in the urban environment. This approach involves employing cross-sections, recognizable landmarks, and associative patterns.
The subsequent experiments were conducted on the web, primarily to access a broad and diverse pool of participants. For the second experiment, groups of participants were shown different cross-section alternatives to enable a comparative analysis of how various visualizations affected uncertainty assessment. The results indicated that a more detailed reference map or the use of smaller symbols tends to decrease the sense of uncertainty. Additionally, the dashed line proved to be a reliable convention for representing uncertainty. Furthermore, it was concluded that uncertainty should be visualized to create awareness of its existence, and more techniques need to be developed, preferably across fields, to visualize various kinds of uncertainty and absence.
In the third experiment, three official geoscience hazard maps were tested. Symbol intuitiveness was compared based on the answers of 450 participants presented with different map alternatives. The results highlighted the importance of dedicating time for testing and evaluating map design. As with the former experiment, findings indicated all elements in the map must work together to ensure proper comprehension. Incorporating map experiments into map development provides a valuable framework for interdisciplinary cartography discussions, enriched by both expert insights and empirical evidence, to inform design decisions.
This research aimed to translate its findings into practical applications. A holistic model for map development is proposed, emphasizing learning and evaluation phases to promote knowledge-driven map creation. By bridging the gap between geological expertise and cartographic insights, this aim is to enhance the impact of geoscience maps, facilitating informed decision-making in society. | en_US |
