Google Earth is Changing Science

Spiegel Online has an excellent article about the impact Google Earth has had on contemporary science.

Geographers, biologists, epidemiologists and researchers across the scientific spectrum have put everyone's favorite virtual globe to work. They've used the maps to track arctic ice sheets, plot outbreaks of bird flu, and even help rescuers identify navigableble and flooded roads in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.

To quote from the article:

It isn't surprising that the virtual globe, available as a free download in its basic version, has spread like wildfire. After all, it provides a place to put all the hopelessly scattered information we have collected about our world. Namely, on the earth itself. The digital globe finally depicts everything exactly where it belongs.

Should you be unaware of Google Earth, then you're missing out on one of the most engaging and useful tools the internet has to offer. Read the article, then get Google Earth if you haven't already.