RING OF FIRE DATA VISUALIZATION
For this project we were tasked with finding a large data set and use Processing to code the data for display on a map. The purpose of using Processing for this application is purely because of the size of the data set ( over 5,000 data points) and ensuring precision that would be nearly impossible if done by hand.
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I decided to use earthquake data of the Pacific (Ring of Fire). I wanted to use this region for the data because I thought it would be interesting to be able to view the boundaries of the tectonic plates and fault lines through the frequency of earthquakes along these areas. I chose a time span of a year (Nov. 2021 to Nov. 2022).
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After setting up the basic code in Processing, I created the above map with the points plotted and markers on the top 15 magnitudes. I was then able to add exponents to make the scale change more noticeable for the magnitude markers and add text. Finally, I exported the pdf and transferred it into Illustrator. I was then able to split the graph and rearrange it along the prime meridian to compose the map centered around the ring of fire. I then touched up the map by changing colors, adding a title, and a chart of the top 15 magnitude earthquakes.
Folder containing the earthquake data set and processing code.