Google Maps - Updated Terrain

[Missourian]

Google has recently updated the terrain mode in Maps. When using the terrain setting for my area, I noticed that the resolution is much higher than before. Better yet, it appears that they used radar imagery (or a similar process) to acquire the data. As it turns out, this is an absolute godsend for fossil collectors. Instead of being dependent on the whim of the surveyor, the radar picks everything up. Some features that used to be obscure now boldly stand out.

Buildings included in the 'terrain' indicate the remote-sensing process used:

Stream valleys and channels really stand out. Cut banks can be discerned where channels hit valley walls:

Limestone ledge outcrops stand out in many places:

Old railways, often completely obscured beneath trees, stand out like sore thumbs:

Road cuts are now much easier to find:

Quarries even more so:

I'm not sure how much of the country has the new coverage. I checked a couple other cities, and they have similarly updated maps.

[BobWill]

Thanks for posting this. I've seldom used the terrain view before. The extra detail visible now will change all that.

[RyanNREMTP]

Same here. Thanks.

[mrieder79]

AWESOME! This is great. I never even knew about terrain mode.

[KansasFossilHunter]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

[Blakfistforge]

Thanks for the info, that looks very useful.