May 2008

• Geoscience Australia releases new GPS compatible map
• Have you witnessed a tsunami?

Geoscience Australia releases new GPS compatible map

The 1:250K scale topographic maps are now available in GeoPDF format which is an extension to the standard PDF file format that can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat.

These digital maps appear identical to the published paper maps and include all the standard features such as roads, watercourses and contours, as well as the full legend and full feature symbology.

Unlike other digital maps these GeoPDF maps maintain resolution regardless of zoom extents and are georeferenced to be directly compatible with GPS and other coordinated geographic data. For GPS users it highlights their current location on the map.

The high resolution ensures that regardless of how far the user zooms into the map, the clarity of annotation and symbology is maintained. In addition, coordinate locations and distances can be retrieved automatically using a mouse.

A plug-in to view GeoPDF using the Adobe Acrobat viewer is available as a free download.

The 1:250K GeoPDF topographic maps are available as a free download or through Geoscience Australia's MapConnect. .

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Have you witnessed a tsunami?

To help us understand the potential risk to the Australian coastline, we are seeking information from people who may have come into contact with a tsunami.

If you have seen unusual wave behaviour or strange tidal occurrences, an online report form has been created for you to submit your story. The form only takes a few minutes to complete and will greatly assist us in understanding tsunami events in Australia.

Eyewitness accounts provide us with a more detailed history of tsunami around Australia, and will validate and help develop the scientific tools used to assist emergency planners in safeguarding their communities against future tsunami.

Geoscience Australia plays a key role in developing knowledge of the risk from natural and human-caused hazard to Australia. Using this knowledge we develop tsunami hazard maps to assist government and the community in making informed decisions about public safety.

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