KML Output

KML format provides geographic visualization compatible with Google Earth, Google Maps, and other geographic information systems. The output focuses on positional data for the scientific operations.

KML cruise plan displayed in Google Earth showing stations, transits, and areas

KML output from tc4_mixed_ops.yaml displayed in Google Earth, demonstrating the geographic visualization with color-coded station markers, transit routes, survey areas, and 3D bathymetric context suitable for expedition planning and public outreach.

Note

KML output is available from the map command (cruiseplan map --format kml), and does not include any information from the scheduling.

Purpose and Use Cases

Primary Uses:

  • Google Earth visualization and exploration

  • Geographic information system (GIS) integration

KML Structure and Features

Generated KML files contain configuration-based geographic data in a flat structure with individual placemarks:

Configuration Elements Included:

  • Port Points: Departure and arrival ports with basic location information

  • Station Points: Individual CTD, mooring, and other operation locations

  • Scientific Transit Lines: Underway operations (e.g., ADCP surveys) with start/end coordinates

  • Area Polygons: Survey areas defined by corner coordinates

What is NOT Included:

  • No cruise track connections between stations/ports

  • No timeline or scheduling information

  • No hierarchical folder organization

  • No detailed operation metadata or scientific objectives

  • No time stamps or temporal data

Note

The KML output represents the configuration catalog only, not the scheduled timeline. It shows where operations are planned, but not when they occur or how the vessel routes between them.

Geographic Visualization

Markers and Styling

Operation Type Styling:

KML Element Styles

Element Type

Style

Description

Stations

Red circle markers

CTD and other point operations

Ports

Orange marina icons

Departure and arrival points

Scientific Transits

Red lines

ADCP surveys and underway operations

Areas

Cyan polygons

Survey areas with semi-transparent fill
Information Content:

Basic text descriptions:

<!-- Station example -->
Type: Station (OperationTypeEnum.CTD)
Action: ActionEnum.PROFILE
Location: 45.000000°N, -50.000000°W
Depth: N/A m

<!-- Port example -->
Port: Halifax
Type: Departure Port
Location: 44.648800°N, -63.575200°W
Timezone: America/Halifax

<!-- Transit example -->
Type: Transit
Start: 46.000000°N, -50.000000°W
End: 47.000000°N, -50.000000°W
Distance: calculated nm

<!-- Area example -->
Type: Area
Corners: 4
Operation: AreaOperationTypeEnum.SURVEY

Transits and Areas (Lines and Polygons)

Scientific Transit Lines:

  • Only underway scientific operations (e.g., ADCP surveys) are shown as lines

  • Red lines connecting start and end coordinates of scientific transit operations

  • Cruise track connections between stations are not shown

Area Polygons:

  • Survey areas shown as closed yellow polygons

  • Defined by corner coordinates from configuration

  • Semi-transparent fill to show underlying map features

Future Enhancements

Current Limitations

Missing Features:

  • Basic popup content without HTML formatting

  • No scientific objectives or detailed metadata

Timing information:

  • No time stamps or temporal data (no Google Earth time slider support)

  • No cruise track connections between operations

  • No scheduling or timeline information

This would only be possible if we generated the KML from the schedule data rather than the YAML configuration (which is what “cruiseplan map” currently does).

Planned Enhancements (see todos):

  • Rich HTML popup content with operation details, timing and distance (where applicable)

  • Cruise track plotting based on schedule

  • Time-based KML with Google Earth animation support (if using schedule data)

Actual KML Structure Example

Simple Flat Structure

Based on the actual generated file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<kml xmlns="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2">
  <Document>
    <name>TC4_Mixed_Test - Catalog</name>
    <description>Cruise configuration catalog including all stations, moorings, transits, ports, and areas</description>

    <!-- Style definitions -->
    <Style id="stationStyle">
      <IconStyle>
        <color>ff0000ff</color>
        <scale>1.2</scale>
        <Icon>
          <href>http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/shapes/placemark_circle.png</href>
        </Icon>
      </IconStyle>
    </Style>

    <!-- Port placemark -->
    <Placemark>
      <name>Departure: Halifax</name>
      <description>
        Port: Halifax
        Type: Departure Port
        Location: 44.648800°N, -63.575200°W
        Timezone: America/Halifax
      </description>
      <styleUrl>#portStyle</styleUrl>
      <Point>
        <coordinates>-63.5752,44.6488,0</coordinates>
      </Point>
    </Placemark>

    <!-- Station placemark -->
    <Placemark>
      <name>STN_001</name>
      <description>
        Type: Station (OperationTypeEnum.CTD)
        Action: ActionEnum.PROFILE
        Location: 45.000000°N, -50.000000°W
        Depth: N/A m
      </description>
      <styleUrl>#stationStyle</styleUrl>
      <Point>
        <coordinates>-50.0,45.0,0</coordinates>
      </Point>
    </Placemark>

    <!-- Scientific transit line -->
    <Placemark>
      <name>ADCP_Survey</name>
      <description>
        Type: Transit
        Start: 46.000000°N, -50.000000°W
        End: 47.000000°N, -50.000000°W
        Distance: calculated nm
      </description>
      <styleUrl>#transitStyle</styleUrl>
      <LineString>
        <coordinates>
          -50.0,46.0,0
          -50.0,47.0,0
        </coordinates>
      </LineString>
    </Placemark>

    <!-- Area polygon -->
    <Placemark>
      <name>Area_01</name>
      <description>
        Type: Area
        Corners: 4
        Operation: AreaOperationTypeEnum.SURVEY
      </description>
      <styleUrl>#areaStyle</styleUrl>
      <Polygon>
        <outerBoundaryIs>
          <LinearRing>
            <coordinates>-50.5,47.5,0 -50.5,48.5,0 -49.5,48.5,0 -49.5,47.5,0 -50.5,47.5,0</coordinates>
          </LinearRing>
        </outerBoundaryIs>
      </Polygon>
    </Placemark>

  </Document>
</kml>

Style Definitions

Marker Styles:

<Style id="ctd_station">
  <IconStyle>
    <Icon>
      <href>http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/shapes/sailing.png</href>
    </Icon>
    <scale>1.2</scale>
    <color>ff0000ff</color>
  </IconStyle>
  <LabelStyle>
    <scale>0.8</scale>
    <color>ff000000</color>
  </LabelStyle>
</Style>

Line Styles:

<Style id="cruise_track">
  <LineStyle>
    <color>ff0000ff</color>
    <width>3</width>
  </LineStyle>
</Style>

Integration Applications

Google Earth Integration

Viewing Features:

  • 3D terrain visualization with bathymetric context

  • Layer control for selective data display

  • Measurement tools for distance and area calculations

GIS System Import

Compatible Software:

  • QGIS for advanced spatial analysis

  • ArcGIS for professional cartography

  • Marine navigation systems (ECDIS)

The KML output format provides versatile geographic visualization capabilities that serve diverse audiences. It also allows integration with other *.kml based datasets.