What is geospatial intelligence? A geographer explains the powerful melding of maps and data
The good news, through all of this: Geospatial intelligence has offered valuable insights to help governments and organizations protect communities.
- The good news, through all of this: Geospatial intelligence has offered valuable insights to help governments and organizations protect communities.
- Geospatial intelligence is the collection and integration of data from a network of technologies, including satellites, mobile sensors, ground-control stations and aerial images.
Disasters sudden and slow
- For example, the National Hurricane Center actively monitors the location, formation and trajectory of tropical cyclones.
- Detailed information on the timing, location and strength of a given hurricane helps officials distribute resources and personnel, as well as issue storm warnings and evacuation orders.
- With climate change intensifying extreme weather events, there is likely to be a corresponding increase in threats to human safety and security.
Military and civilian logistics
- In this way, geospatial intelligence represents an extension of the free press.
- Another use of geospatial intelligence is in transportation, logistics and global supply chains.
- Digital twins are being used in many civilian and military settings to improve decision making.
- Digital twins have been highly effective in conflict settings by simulating weather and terrain to help militaries and peacekeepers develop and enact strategies.
Growing need
- The need for geospatial intelligence is more important than ever.
- Average temperature is projected to increase between 2 to 9.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 to 5.4 degrees Celsius) by the end of the century.
- Whether reconstructing the past, describing the present or anticipating the future, geospatial intelligence provides valuable information to help keep people and communities safe.