There are two basic types of joins in GIS tables and geo-data: spatial and relational (based on table IDs). Spatial join is the key concept in GIS and that is what sets all GIS technologies apart from other relational databases. Here we start with performing relational joint of list of zipcodes with names to the US zipcode shapefile.

Relational Join

To join table to shapefile based on ID (zipcode) the data type in the column you are planning to join should be the same. Let’s check on data type in Zip code shapefile. Right click on shapefile, select properties and look under Fields tab. The format of the data is Text and size is 5 digits.

1. Install Google Earth from http://earth.google.com . Open Google Earth and go to Tools\Options

Location

If you have some data in table format with IDs for fields or point locations on the map and Google Earth KML file with those fields having same IDs, it is generally possible to bring spatial information to Excel and merge those data sources together to use in further spatial analysis in other GIS software and in newly released FREE ESRI Maps for MS Office Beta 2. There are a few little tricks to it, though…

Google Earth KML files are essentially XML files with geographical information, but Excel will not open them directly.

The technique and procedure described here can be performed with LandMapper ERM-01 or ERM-02 (set in resistivity mode). The electrode spacings provided in this example are identical to Landviser's supplied "big manual VES" cable set made to measure 16 layers of topsoil down to approximately 9 m. The worksheet for pre-set electrode spacings in such cable re-calculating measured resistivities to 1D VES profile can be downloaded as Manual 1D VES workbook (MS Excel format).

Other electrode spacings are possible for custom-made cable arrays to reach deeper profiles. For example, we developed and tested with LandMapper a 60m-long cable, measuring down to ~ 20 m for one custom hydrology project. 

This manual VES technique is most convenient to use with three people. Follow step-by-step instructions below. If you need further help, do not hesitate to contact Landviser, LLC @ +1-609-412-0555 or info@landviser.com. Register on our site and download 7 related publications and software!

Locations