Why is Yosemite Closing Less Expensive Lodging Due to Rock Fall Risk? More Die in a Few Years Falling on Rocks than 155 Years of Rocks Falling on People

I just read that Yosemite National Park is closing many of the least expensive lodgings due to the risk of rock falls. I did a little bit of research and found that in 155 years, 15 people have been killed by rock falls in the park. I also found that more people are killed by falling on rocks in the park in just a year or two. Does this make any sense at all?

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IPCC Climate Change GIS Shapefiles at Discount

Hello - You can now purchase multiple regions of the IPCC-based GIS shapefiles at a discount. The regular price for each region's shapefile set (each region has multiple decades from 2010 through 2099)is $47, but you can purchase regions 1 through 5 or regions 6 through 10 (either temperature or precipitation) for $197 saving $38 over the cost of purchasing individually.

These shapefiles are based on the latest IPCC climate data and indicate precipitation and temperature scenarios for 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, 2050, 2060, 2070, 2080, 2090 and 2099.

Click here to access the IPCC-based climate change shapefiles

Click here to access the IPCC-based climate change shapefiles

Map Used in Bogus Article About Obama Supposedly Ceding Islands to Russia

I'm continually amazed at how totally bogus claims, with no basis in fact, circulate around the net and become "fact" to many. Here's a map that was used in an article claiming that the Obama administration was giving away oil rich islands to Russia. The map clearly shows a line and the islands marked are clearly on the Russian side. That's a clue, at least it was for me. Here's the map and you can read more about it here.

Read more about Obama bashing claim of oil-rich island giveaway here

MapCruzin.com Online since 1996 providing free GIS software, shapefiles, maps and tutorials.

Mobile Maps & Apps, GPS, Utilities and Developer Tools

Hello - New resources for mobile users and developers. Follow the links below:

MOBILE MAPS & APPS: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod, SmartPhones

MOBILE GPS: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod, SmartPhones

MOBILE UTILITIES: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod, SmartPhones

MOBILE DEVELOPERS RESOURCES & TOOLS: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod, SmartPhones

I'll be adding more over time.

Which States Have the Greatest Number of Solar Jobs?

I recently read a report about solar job growth in America and decided to map some of the data. See map below:



Read more, view a larger image and see a video about green jobs

Trying to Find the Best Location for Solar Energy? Solar Prospector

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has created this great tool called the Solar Prospector. It allows you to locate any point or area in the U.S. and Northern Mexico and determine its suitability for optimal solar energy production.



Learn More About the Solar Prospector Interactive Maps

Extreme Weather: Long-Term U.S. Tornado Climatology Report

I've added a new report to the Extreme Weather, Natural Disaster, Tornado, Weather Warning, Climate Change Maps, GIS Shapefiles & Resources. The Long-Term U.S. Tornado Climatology Report comes from NOAA/NCDC.

The report is over 10 years old, but it's interesting that a lot of the tornado incidents agreed with the forecasts they created at the time. Now in 2012 it seems that forecasting the future of tornadoes or any extreme weather with any degree of accuracy is becoming increasingly difficult.

Check out the Long-Term U.S. Tornado Climatology Report

Mike Meuser

GIS Project Development, Data Research and Custom Shapefile Creation
Free GIS Software, Shapefiles, Maps and Tutorials
Free GPS, Aerial, TOPO Maps and News

If you have data, GIS project or custom shapefile needs send me an email

Premium Shapefiles: ZipCode, Indian & Federal Lands, School Districts, Tornadoes, Dams, Climate Change & Global Warming