Box Plot

A box plot is a convenient way of graphically depicting groups of numerical data through their five-number summaries (the smallest observation, lower quartile (Q1), median (Q2), upper quartile (Q3), and largest observation). A box plot may also indicate which observations, if any, might be considered outliers. The box plot was invented in 1977 by the American statistician John Tukey. This box plot shows the groundwater characterization and assessment of contaminants in marine areas of Biscayne National Park.

Histogram

A histogram is a graphical display of tabulated frequencies. It shows what proportion of cases fall into each of several categories. A histogram differs from a bar chart in that it is the area of the bar that denotes the value, not the height, a crucial distinction when the categories are not of uniform width. This histogram shows the results of a final exam given to a hypothetical class of students. Each score range is denoted by a bar of a certain color. If this histogram were compared with those of classes from other years that received the same test from the same professor, conclusions might be drawn about intelligence changes among students over the years. Conclusions might also be drawn concerning the improvement or decline of the professor's teaching ability with the passage of time. If this histogram were compared with those of other classes in the same semester who had received the same final exam but who had taken the course from different professors, one might draw conclusions about the relative competence of the professors.

Parallel Coordinate Graph

A parallel coordinate graph is used to plot large multivariate datasets. Each variable in the data plot is represented as its own Y Axis on the graph. A maximum point for each Y axis is selected, and they are scaled relatively to each other so that each variable takes up the same area in the graph space. In this graph, each Y axis is labeled with a particular baseball statistic. The value labeled at the top of each Y axis represents the player with the highest value in that category. A scaling factor is applied to the y value in an (x,y) point, so that all of the statistics are relative in value to each other in the graph.

Triangular Plot

Triangular plot is a barycentric plot on three variables which sum to a constant. It graphically depicts the ratios of the three variables as positions in an equilateral triangle. It is used in petrology, mineralogy, metallurgy, and other physical sciences to show the compositions of systems composed of three species. In population genetics, it is often called a de Finetti diagram. In game theory, it is often called a simplex plot. The axes of the figure show the estimated fraction of the United Kingdom population intending to vote for each of the major parties; the white circle shows the current estimate from opinion polls. The colored areas show the regions of the plot in which - under the assumption of uniform national swing - each of the corresponding major parties would win a majority in Parliament.

Windrose

Windrose is a graphic tool used by meteorologists to give a succinct view of how wind speed and direction are typically distributed at a particular location. Presented in a circular format, the wind rose shows the frequency of winds blowing from particular directions. The length of each "spoke" around the circle is related to the frequency that the wind blows from a particular direction per unit time. Each concentric circle represents a different frequency, emanating from zero at the center to increasing frequencies at the outer circles. A wind rose plot may contain additional information, in that each spoke is broken down into color-coded bands that show wind speed ranges. Wind roses typically use 16 cardinal directions, such as north (N), NNE, NE, etc., although they may be subdivided into as many as 32 directions. This Windrose displays a sample of a monthly view of wind speeds in Round Rock, Texas.

Climograph

A climograph is a graphical depiction of the monthly precipitation and temperature conditions for a selected place. Precipitation is shown by the bar graph. A line graph depicts temperature. This climograph shows the wet-dry tropical/tropical savanna climate of Timbo, Guinea, at lat. 10 N, West Africa.

Population Profiles

Population profiles are charts showing the number of people as a function of their ages, an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics. This map shows the Islamic population profile.

Scatterplot

Scatterplot is a type of display that contains one or more scatter plots each of which use Cartesian coordinates to display values for two variables for a set of data. The data is displayed as a collection of points, each having the value of one variable determining the position on the horizontal axis and the value of the other variable determining the position on the vertical axis. This is an example of a scatter plot with (optional) size and color arguments. This example plots changes in Intel's stock price from one day to the next with the sizes coding trading volume and the colors coding price change in day 1.

Accumulative Line Graph or Lorenz Curve

Accumulative line graph or Lorenz curve is a graphical representation of the cumulative distribution function of a probability distribution. It was developed by Max O. Lorenz in 1905 for representing income distribution. A set of idealized Lorenz curves are shown in the figure. The sloping straight green line is the Lorenz curve of an idealized perfectly egalitarian society - where everybody has exactly the same income. The red Lorenz curve - horizontal and then vertical - is that for the extreme authoritarian or totalitarian society where one person has all the income. Curves for societies with intermediate income distributions are shown. The meaning of the curves is illustrated by giving the meaning of one point (black) on one of the curves. The open circle point on the same curve has the coordinates: 80% of the population earns 64% of the income.

Bilateral Graphs

Bilateral graphs show increases on one side of a zero line and decreases on the other side. Use bilateral graphs whenever data to be presented have both positive and negative values. In this bilateral graph, positive and negative values (in %) indicate an increase or decrease, respectively, in soil carbon sequestration occurring between 1981 and 2000 because of changes in climate and the atmospheric CO2 concentration.

Univariate Choropleth maps

Univariate choropleth maps display a single variable. This map contains the median income of each state from census data. It is based on a page provided by U.S. Census Bureau.

Isopachs

Isopachs are maps of the areal extent and thickness variation of a stratigraphic unit; used in geological exploration for oil and for underground structural analysis. In this map, the petroleum geologist contours the thickness of an individual sandstone. This sandstone is about 45 feet thick in the middle and thins to 20 feet or less around the edges of the gas field.

Remote Sensing KLM file

http://ecotronics.com/google-earth/kmldata/nasa.kml

This is a KML remote sensing image of the NASA GSFC Scanning Raman Lidar. The Code 613.1 Raman Lidar group designs, builds, operates and maintains instrumentation for studying various atmospheric processes and constituents. Among these instruments are two that are designed primarily for use in field campaign activities. These instruments are: Scanning Raman Lidar (SRL); Raman Airborne Spectroscopic Lidar (RASL).

Bivariate Choropleths

Bivariate choropleth maps display two variables on a single map by combining two different sets of graphic symbols or colors. The map above displays two variables: population density and the percentage of population change.

Unclassed Choropleth

An unclassed choropleth is designed to show statistical data in a multi-colored value moving from smallest to largest, using lighter colors to portray smaller values and using progressively darker shades to portray progressively greater values. The map above shows the rates of illiteracy in France with shadings from black to white (distribution and intensity of illiteracy in France). This is the first unclassed choropleth map, and perhaps the first modern statistical map. (This map dates from 1826.

Classed Choropleth

A classed choropleth portrays varying statistics that occur within specified boundaries. The map above shows the percentage of poverty in the various areas of the United States.

Digital Elevation Models (DLMs)

Digital Elevation Models (DLMs) are digital representations of ground surface topography or terrain. A DEM can be represented as a raster (a grid of squares) or as a triangular irregular network. DEMs are commonly built using remote sensing techniques. They may also be built from land surveying. De Montfort University generated a Global Digital Elevation Model at 30 arcseconds resolution by combining the best available ground truth with a unique global database of ERS-1 satellite altimeter derived heights, reprocessed with a novel expert system. This model, ACE, presents radically improved spatial accuracy and resolution over large regions of the globe, in particular over Africa and South America, suffering so far from a drastic lack of in situ data.

Digital Line Graphs (DLGs)

Digital Line Graph (DLGs) are digital vector representations of cartographic information derived from USGS maps and related sources. The USGS produces three primary types of DLG data: Large-Scale (7.5-minute) DLGs correspond to the USGS 1:20,000-, 1:24,000-, and 1:25,000-scale topographic quadrangle maps. They are primarily cast to the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection system, but some are cast to the State Plane coordinate system. They are referenced to either the North American Datum (NAD) of 1927 (NAD27) or the NAD of 1983 (NAD83). Above, the map of the Southwestern United States was drawn on a Cylindrical equal-area projection. The map shows the coastline; islands; perennial rivers and lakes; and state boundaries. Most geographic features, such as roads; railroads; canals; national parks; intermittent rivers and lakes; and county boundaries are not shown.

Digital Raster Graphics (DRG)

Digital raster graphic (DRG) is a digital image resulting from scanning a paper USGS topographic map for use on a computer. DRGs created by USGS are typically scanned at 250 dpi and saved as a TIFF. The raster image usually includes the original border information, referred to as the "map collar". The map file is UTM projected and georeferenced to the surface of the earth. DRG's are regularly used in GIS applications. Shaded relief generated from raster elevation data effectively portrays the land surface, shown above in combination with the topographic map content from the USGS digital raster graphic of Juneau, Alaska.

Isopleths

An isopleths is a feature of meteorological charts, connecting points which have an equal value of some variable at a given time and spatial area. The particular variables shown on a given chart may include values such as pressure, temperature, wind speed, etc. They are used to assist in visualizing the general features of a meteorological "field” such as an isobars or isotherms. Above, the map shown features isotherm lines showing temperatures in the United States departing from the norm. These temperature changes were being used to track hummingbirds.

Isohyets

Isohyets are lines drawn on a map connecting points that receive equal amounts of rainfall. Above, the map shows the prevailing westerly airflow over Tasmania from the Southern Ocean that is generally moisture-laden. When it is forced to rise over the western, central and southern highlands, it cools and releases much of its moisture as rain (and snow). By the time the air flow gets to the eastern side of the State, it has reduced most of is moisture, and the chance of rain is reduced. Hence, there is a marked difference in average cloudiness and rainfall across the state.

Isotachs

Isotachs are lines of equal wind speed drawn on weather maps. They are helpful in finding maxima and minima in the wind pattern. Minima in the wind pattern aloft are favorable for tropical cyclogenesis. Maximum in the wind pattern at various levels of the atmosphere show locations of jet streams. The map above is an example of isotachs.

Isobars

An isobar is a curve connecting values of equal pressure. On May 6, 1999, the wind blew hard across western South Dakota and portions of northeast Wyoming. The cause was the big "L" you see on the 12Z surface analysis above. Each isobar represents a 4mb pressure difference. Notice, there are five isobars over western South Dakota. There was a large 15mb pressure difference between the low and Rapid City.