In case you are interested in using the software we use while on the field trip, here are the key pieces of software we have on the departmental iPads. (The Mac software is a bit different).
Currently available software:
Avenza Maps (free, but many maps cost $). Some published maps can be directly imported, but free version can only hold 3 active personal maps at a time. We have shifted a lot of our existing scans previously in Maplets to work in Avenza, but the three active map limit is a challenge. Plus version allows storing more uploaded maps ($30/year); Pro version ($145/yr) allows some mapping tools to be used to make shapefiles.
TopoMaps 2: ($5/year subscription) allows downloading of pre-USATopo USGS 7.5' maps (1:24,000 scale) as well as newer (but opographically less precise) US Topo maps for offline use. Includes tools to identify peaks in panorama, drawing routes, seeing elevtion profiles, seeing what parts of the map are visible from your current location, etc.
Read Cube Papers (free for mobile devices) allows for organizing pdf versions of journal articles on a portable device. In esence the portable version of the now-comercial Papers app; if you use Papers then this probably makes sense for you.
Flyover Country (free) can store geographic and Macrostrat geologic maps for offline use along with Wikipedia, fossil localities, and some GSA field guides. This continues to be developed, but as we will be going offline much of the trip it can be a bit challenging to get everything you might want into the app.
Older software that is still on some of our iPads
AGI Glossary of Geology ($30) was the most comprehensive glossary on electronic devices. (Slightly clunky interface but can be handy). Appears to have been pulled from iTunes and Google Play.
Maplets: ($3) is software that allows you to download maps (usually things like park maps, airport maps and the like) and see where you are located on the map (if the map was georeferenced). We have uploaded a number of geologic maps to their server; a search on "geol" will turn up all our maps. The author appear to have abandoned the app (unfortunately) and so this might or might not work for you (we should still have most of the maps on our iPads).
TopoMaps: ($20) allows downloading of pre-USATopo USGS 7.5' maps (1:24,000 scale) for offline use (but not the US Topo maps). This version has been replaced by TopoMaps 2 but is still available (price was increased to encourage people to go to TopoMaps 2). One advantage is that you don't need the subscription to get these maps.
Geologic GISes by state (Geograph, no longer in business): For instance, Geograph Colorado. State-level GIS including layers of geologic data, topography, faults and many others (varies some by state). Scaled only for iPhone and not supported but can still be pretty useful. Only on some older iPads.
Other software:
RockD is an app that seems to require network access to work (we do get out of range rather frequently) but will then try to tell you the local geology and will show a local map. It can measure strike and dip and can record notes.
Strabospot is on our iPads (most, at any rate) and is mainly used for gathering field data.
GEOL4717/5717 Home | C. H. Jones | CIRES | Dept. of Geological Sciences | Univ. of Colorado at Boulder
Last modified at January 22, 2025 5:35 PM