Part 2: Load Data Into a GIS

Step 1 –

Note: This chapter was retired in July 2011. A similar EET chapter that uses the same data and ArcExplorer Java Edition (AEJEE) GIS software is available. See: Investigating Earthquakes with ArcExplorer GIS

Download and Install ArcVoyager Special Edition GIS


    ArcVoyager SE Installer for Mac ( 26.8MB Aug10 04)
    • Mac users hold down the ctrl key and click "Download link to disk.." to download the installer. Then double click the installer and follow the directions. Look at point 3. below for additional help with installation. (These instructions apply when using Internet Explorer. Your download command may be slightly different for another browser.)

    ArcVoyager SE Zipped for PC ( 37.6MB Aug11 04)
    • PC users perform a "Save Target As.." by right-clicking on the zipped file and saving them to the computer's hard drive. Then unzip the files. Unzipping should create a directory called Special. Look at point 3. below for additional help with installation. (These instructions apply when using Internet Explorer. Your download command may be slightly different for another browser.)
    Note: These installers are very large files (37MB). Downloading them via a phone connection could take several hours. High speed Internet access is recommended.
  1. Scroll down to the ArcVoyager Special Edition installers and download the installer for your platform to your computer or use the installers above.
    2. Be sure to download ArcVoyager Special Edition and not ArcVoyager full install for ArcView. ArcVoyager for ArcView requires that ArcView already be installed on your computer. ArcVoyager Special Edition is a stand-alone GIS. Mac users please note that ArcVoyager is a Classic application.
  2. Unstuff or unzip the installer for your platform and follow its installation instructions.

Step 2 –
Download Additional Data

  1. Save and unzip all files into the Earthquake_Data folder.
  2. PC users perform a "Save Target As.." by right-clicking on the following zipped files and saving them into the folder \Earthquake_Data. Then unzip the files. (These instructions apply when using Internet Explorer. Your download command may be slightly different for another browser.)
  3. Mac users hold down the ctrl key and click "Download link to disk.." to download the following zipped files. Save them into the folder \Earthquake_Data. Be sure to unzip or expand the files. (These instructions apply when using Internet Explorer. Your download command may be slightly different for another browser.)

Step 3 –
Navigate to Startup Project, Creating New Worlds: TURN ME LOOSE and Launch ArcVoyager

An important note about ArcVoyager: ArcVoyager projects cannot be saved. This means that when you exit the program, your work will not be saved. To save a map or other display, you will need to take a screen capture. (Press Print Screen function key on PCs, or command-shift-3 all at once on Macs). Then paste the image into a paint or drawing program, crop it, save it, and/or print it out.

Alternatively, the techniques of this chapter can be used with ArcView 3.X GIS, which does allow project files to be saved.

  1. Mac users navigate to the ESRI folder and launch ArcVoyager Special Edition while PC users go to the Start Menu to launch the program.
  2. Scroll through the ArcVoyager Guide and open the Creating New Worlds: Startup Project.

Step 4 –
Set Up a Base Map with Relevant Themes

Add themes that draw country and state borders, latitude/longitude lines, and plate boundaries. Adjust how the themes are displayed.

  1. Choose View>Add Theme..., navigate to the Earthquake Data folder, and select all four files you downloaded: bounds.shp, cntry94.shp, states.shp, and world30.shp. Click Add All. (PC users need to hold down the shift key to select more than one file and then click Add.)
  2. Turn all four themes on by clicking the boxes next to their names.
  3. Click and drag the world30.shp theme, sliding it to the bottom of the list, known as the Table of Contents. (To drag a theme you grab it by its name).
    4. Each theme in a GIS is a separate layer that builds the map. Themes are mapped as either points, lines, or polygons. The thematic layers are drawn from the bottom to the top as they appear in the Table of Contents. If not positioned properly, it is possible for some layers to cover up others. In general, polygons should be placed at the bottom, while lines and points would be arranged near the top.
  4. Move the themes around to create a useful base map.

Step 5 –
Add Data as Tables

In case you had difficulty creating the files in Part 1, here are some sample files to work with. Download these files into the Earthquake_Data folder.

  • PC users perform a "Save Target As.." by right-clicking on the following files and saving them into the folder \Earthquake_Data. (These instructions apply when using Internet Explorer. Your download command may be slightly different for another browser.)
  • Mac users hold down the ctrl key and click "Download link to disk.." to download the following files. Save them into the folder \Earthquake_Data. (These instructions apply when using Internet Explorer. Your download command may be slightly different for another browser.)

Click the Add Table button Add Table Button is second from the left to add the two files of "GIS-ready" data that you formated in Part 1 (i.e. Sig_Big_eq.txt and Last_year_eq.txt). Make sure the file type is set to Delimited Text or else the files will not be visible within the Earthquake Data folder.