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New interactive topo maps of Svalbard go online
Walruses, oil exploration, hunting areas, ice cover, other updated data viewable from near and far

Longyearbyen and the surrounding area are shown in topographic detail, above, as part of a new collection of online maps of Svalbard prepared by the Norwegian Polar Institute and Svalbard governor's office. The continuously updated maps can show – separately or at the same time – other details such as sea ice history, exploratory oil activity, walrus resting areas and hunting zones. The maps are at www.npolar.no/svalbardkartet.

It's now easier than ever to get lost using a map.

A new online interactive map of Svalbard offering views of more than 30 kinds of data – all at once, if so desired – is being offered by the Norwegian Polar Institute. Users can view the entire archipelago or specific areas in precise topographical detail, along with information such as where walruses rest and oil exploration is occurring.

"In addition to the usual ability to zoom and move around the map, it is also possible to draw and place text, make prints and scan," the institute notes in a statement. "For all data sets, the user can also retrieve...the actual metadata."

Among the categories are protected areas, hunting areas, traffic regulations, sea ice history, vegetation (10 or 37 classifications) and administrative divisions. The data is updated continuously by the institute and Svalbard governor's office, which is collaborating on the project.

All information at the map's Web site (www.npolar.no/svalbardkartet) is in Norwegian, but the site works on a limited basis using Google Translate.

"Currently the service is built for up to 50 simultaneous users," the institute notes. "This will be increased if necessary."

The map can also be used directly in other map services such as Google Earth.

There was no trouble accessing the site at several different times on different days, but some overlays and data can be slow to load even with a high-speed connection. Also the user is automatically logged off after a period of inactivity

Published in the March 2, 2010, print edition.

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