Harrisburg University is working on a large grant project in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to create raster mosaic datasets of underground mine maps in the State of Pennsylvania. This compilation of datasets involves a great deal of map analysis – looking for elevation points, common mine workings, and other underground mine features, as well as examining cross sections of coal seams. After many maps are analyzed to determine which have optimal features, the georeferencing and the digitizing of the mosaic footprint is performed. Underground mine maps are often georeferenced to surface maps and surface features, and sometimes even to each other using specific edge-matching techniques. Once a mosaic dataset is created, analysis of the workings begins and leads to the digitization of particular mine workings that are valuable to examining mine subsidence risks in the state. This presentation will discuss the methodology behind the creation of underground mine map mosaics using the Mosaic Raster Tools in ArcGIS and some of the problems that are encountered along the way. Lastly, this presentation will look at the significance of these mosaics in terms of how they effect the public.
