Abstract

GIS/Imagery Applications in Support of Relief Efforts: Deepwater Horizon
Track: Defense and Intelligence
Authors: Melissa Chesser

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill proved to be one of the largest man-made disasters in the history of the United States. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), in collaboration with several other federal agencies, compiled daily graphical oil spill extent products that provided situational awareness to assisted Adm. Thad Allen of the U.S. Coast Guard, various organizations, and first responders at the National Incident Command (NIC) during their relief and clean up efforts. The briefing showcases NGA's mastery use of combined commercial imagery, vector based GIS data, and animation as a visualization to inform decision-makers. It would highlight the successful collaborative effort between federal government agencies in partnership with commercial vendors in responding to natural disasterand clean up efforts.