In the olden days, every motorist had a clunky road atlas and flimsy paper maps.
Now, digitized maps of the world are at your fingertips.
Sinceancient times, maps have informed users of their geological surroundings.
Muir Way| $89+USA Geologic 1932 Relief Map, created from a scan of the 1932 original by cartographerSean Conway.
However, they are also a fascinating record of change in how humans understand the Earth.
An ongoing project, the maps are available as stunningprintsthat defy the eye to appear as three-dimensional reliefs.
Trained in geography and cartography, Conway started the vintage map relief series as a personal project.
A close up of Lac Lemain on the Switzerland map, Geologische Karte der Schweiz 1911.
to get to add the properly scaled data, Conway must first georeference the older map.
Some maps have been georeferenced already, including some by the U.S. government.
Others are old and technically inaccurate.
A close up from the Canada 1956 Relief Map, based upon a map from the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys.
For such projects, Conway warps the elevation data to maintain the vintage map’s form.
A close up of Lac Lemain on the Switzerland map, Geologische Karte der Schweiz 1911.
In this software, cartographers can crunch data, as well as create 2D and 3D maps and models.
Canada 1956 Relief Map
For the final touches, the project migrates toBlender, an open-source 3D creative software.
It’s really interesting to see the geological color delineation in a map in addition to the 3D effect.
you’re able to really see where geological phenomena change simply by upthrust or exposed valleys.
Brazil 1960 Relief Map
Cartographer Sean Conway combines vintage maps with modern elevation data for a stunning 3D effect.
Grand Canyon 1976 Relief Map
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