GIS and Spatial Databases for Land Mine Mapping

Abstract

It is estimated that there are over 60 million land mines located in approximately sixty countries no longer involved in wars. These land mines are the cause of up to 25 000 deaths or injuries per year. The majority of victims are civilians working their lands or children playing. Currently there are many governmental, military, and non-profit organisations working to improve the land mine problem. These organisations usually work independently in addressing mine awareness and education, mine removal, and victim relief and assistance in affected countries. In 1996 the Mine Action Information Centre (MAIC) was founded at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Centre for Geographic Information Science (CGIS) at JMU supports the MAIC with a team of faculty, staff and advanced students. During the past three years the GIS team has 1) developed customised Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for specific needs of humanitarian demining organisations and operators, 2) evaluated GIS software for a Humanitarian Demining Support System, and 3) hosted an international conference on mapping and GIS for humanitarian demining. Currently the CGIS is focusing on plans for a clearinghouse for humanitarian demining spatial data. The database clearinghouse will enable the demining community to access information about spatial data sources over the World Wide Web and will provide digital maps.