Corinth Gulf Story Map: Enhancing Public Awareness in Natural

and Anthropogenic Environment using Interactive GIS Applications

Varvara Antoniou

, Paraskevi Nomikou

, Konstantinos Papaspyropoulos

Effrosyni Zafeirakopoulou

, Othonas Vlasopoulos

, Evangelia-Varvara Xrysopoulou

Eustathia Tziannou

and Lemonia Ragia

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment,

Panepistimioupoli Zografou, 15784 Athens, Greece

Technical University of Crete, Natural Hazards, Tsunami and Coastal Engineering Laboratory, Chania, Greece

{vantoniou, evinom, kpapaspy}@geol.uoa.gr, lragia@isc.tuc.gr, {othovl, effie.zaf92, effietziannou}@gmail.com,

gellychr@yahoo.gr

Keywords: GIS Story Map, Corinth Gulf, Geotope, Natura 2000, Web Application.

Abstract: Story maps are widespread as an interactive tool used for science and spatial data communication, information

and dissemination. A web-based application using story mapping technology is presented here to highlight

places of interest around Corinth Gulf (Greece), a new addition in Natura 2000 areas. A tailored story map

that combines thematic webmaps and scenes (3D webmaps) generated through a Geographic Information

System (GIS) having a great impact on web-based visual presentations with narrative text and multimedia

content was created to highlight the geological and cultural environment of the area around Corinth Gulf.

1 INTRODUCTION

Recent improvements in Geographic Information

Systems (GIS) technologies can provide new

opportunities for immersive and wide engaging

public audiences with complex multivariate datasets.

Story Maps can provide support for scientific

storytelling in a compelling and straightforward way

(Antoniou, et al., 2019) using multi-media assets (e.g.

photos, videos, 3D representations) and narrative text

for visualizing spatial data effectively.

Thereby, Story Maps can be used in order to

disseminate and understand scientific findings to

broader non-technical audiences (Janicki et al., 2016;

Wright et al., 2014).

In this paper biodiversity (unique flora and fauna)

and geodiversity (geological formations, major active

faults, sea level changes), cultural and recreation

areas environment on both shorelines of the Corinth

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5099-0351

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8842-9730

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6432-2602

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4342-1983

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6713-9141

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9713-6809

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3232-8671

Gulf, are presented through a narrative map, as it is

now included in Natura 2000 site areas.

2 STUDY AREA

Corinth Gulf is a small, long, semi-enclosed and

significally deep gulf, formed between Central

Greece and Peloponnese, starting from the Ionian Sea

to the west and ending up to the Isthmus of Corinth to

the east (Fig. 1).

It is an elongated basin of 105km length with a

WNW-ESE direction and 10-15km width represent-

ing one of Europe's most active seismic areas. The

central part of the gulf is characterized by a flat area

of 800-870m depth, with a length of 40km and a

width of 9km to the west up to 12km to the east. Its

southern part is characterized by the existence of

many submarine canyons in the NE-SW direction,

262

Antoniou, V., Nomikou, P., Papaspyropoulos, K., Zafeirakopoulou, E., Vlasopoulos, O., Xrysopoulou, E., Tziannou, E. and Ragia, L.

Corinth Gulf Story Map: Enhancing Public Awareness in Natural and Anthropogenic Environment using Interactive GIS Applications.

DOI: 10.5220/0009563502620269

In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management (GISTAM 2020), pages 262-269

ISBN: 978-989-758-425-1

while its northern part is mild up to 400m depth and

then with steep slopes up to 800m (Nomikou et al.,

2011). Of the total of 2,336km

of its surface, 23% is

deeper than 100m, while 38% has 400-800m depth.

Figure 1: Screenshot showing the geographic location of the

Corinth Gulf. It constitutes a video frame, part of the video

that has been created using ArcGIS Desktop – Pro version

in order to highlight the study area.

It is surrounded by 4 Districts, 6 Prefectures and

15 Municipalities (Fig. 2) while the total population

is approximately 584.000 (2017) citizens occupying

mostly with tourism, industry and fishing acrivities.

Figure 2: Screenshot presenting the administrative structure

of the area.

Being recently a part of Natura 2000 site areas,

Corinth Gulf foster an unusually high biodiversity

and productivity of marine habitats due to its high

depths in combination with the particular

geomorphological, oceanographic and environmental

conditions. Specifically, the habitats as well as genus

and species that can be found in the gulf are reported

at Natura 2000 official site

Furthermore, in the wider area, visitors meet the

“Helmos – Vouraikos” geopark belonging to the

UNESCO Network of European Geoparks and the

https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-pro/

overview

World Geoparks Network

, as well as the Parnassus

National Park.

From the geological point of view, Corinth Gulf

basin is a tectonic half-graben to an asymmetric

graben with a strong differentiation of its two sides.

Thus, in the North Peloponnese there is a large

tectonic uplift, which has raised the first post alpine

sediments of the gulf at an altitude of 1200-1400m

creating an intense topographic relief. Their age is

very young, ranging from the Upper Pliocene to the

Lower-Middle Pleistocene (3.6-0.78mya). In contrast

to the south side of the Gulf, the north side along the

coast of Central Greece, is subsided or it is relatively

stable and consists of alpine rocks mainly of

Mesozoic - Lower Cenozoic (250-23mya).

Responsible for this, are the major normal marginal

faults, with WSW-ENE direction, which border the

different geodynamic-environmental units and at the

same time constitute the main seismic sources of the

gulf (Fig. 3).

Figure 3: Structural map of the Corinth Rift with the major

marginal faults (active and inactive). The bathymetry was

obtained through multibeam mapping systems (Nomikou et

al., 2011). Offshore faults by Nixon et al., 2016, Taylor et

al. 2011, Bell et al., 2009. Onshore faults by Fold et al.,

2007, 2013 and Skourtsos and Kranis 2009.

The timing of the opening of the present-day

Corinth Gulf is not accurate but is generally estimated

in the Upper Pliocene (3.6My). Its evolution is

characterized by a migration of tectonic activity from

south to north. Today, Corinth Gulf is under

continuous subsidence with a constant depth of

central area at 800m.

In the wider area of Corinth Gulf, natural

phenomena can occur due to geodynamics of the

region, seismicity and the peculiar terrain they

generate. As it exhibits strong seismic activity and

high seismicity, being one of the most active seismic

http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/SDF.aspx?

site=GR2530007

http://www.hellenicgeoparks.gr

Corinth Gulf Story Map: Enhancing Public Awareness in Natural and Anthropogenic Environment using Interactive GIS Applications

263

regions in the world (Ambraseys & Jackson 1990,

1997; Papazachos & Papazachou 1989, 1997;

Papadopoulos 2000), Corinth Gulf constitutes a

seismic laboratory for Greece. During the last 150

years strong earthquakes have resulted in the loss of

many human lives or even the destruction of entire

cities. Geological studies have revealed many main

active faults that have spectacular surface

appearances, making populated cities such as Corinth

and Athens vulnerable to seismic hazard

(Papadopoulos et al. 2000).

Tsunamis have also been reported due to

earthquakes of low focal depth and coastal landslides,

while the pre-existing evidence of submarine mounds

interruptions indicates the possibility of a tsunami

with a maximum wave height of 1.04 - 4.04m and a

maximum wavelength of 4.52 - 6.25km (Stefatos et

al. al., 2006).

Also, flash floods, as well as forest fires events

can be observed due to the morphology, on both sides

of the Gulf. Finally, the coastline is in widespread

erosion at a percentage of more than 65%, while its

southern coast is in full recession.

3 METHODOLOGY

In order to meet the challenge of creating the Story

Map of Corinth Gulf, which focuses on presenting the

bio- and geo-diversity as well as the anthropogenic

environment of the broader area, different types of

datasets have been compiled (historical, geological,

topographical, etc. data together with geospatial data

from open source portals). Moreover, multiple field

trips have taken place for data collection, such as

photos and videos for each site of interest to enrich

the existing knowledge.

Τhe Story Map of Corinth Gulf has been created

in an ArcGIS platform, although other free software

is also available (e.g. StoryMapJS

, Google Earth

Outreach

). The selection was based on the fact that

all available data as well as the necessary tools and

apps, exist into the same platform without the need to

use different software to achieve the same result and

without the need for programming.

Thus, all the available vector and grid spatial data,

along with descriptive data, was first collected,

homogenized and organized into a geodatabase via

https://storymap.knightlab.com

https://www.google.com/earth/outreach/

http://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online/

https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/collector-

for-arcgis/overview

ArcGIS Pro v.2.4 software. Moreover, the

geodatabase also contained the necessary feature

layers to be used during field work for data collection.

Geodatabase was then uploaded in ArcGIS online

platform

and the available information layers were

used to create a webmap.

To ensure the accuracy of the geographic location

of the sites and to collect real time data, a web

application, available in ArcGIS Online, was created

using the afore mentioned webmap and Collector for

ArcGIS

, an application both compatible for Android

and iOS devices, which gives the opportunity, to

collect and update spatial and descriptive data

through mobile devices (tablets or smartphones).

Accordingly, during field work, points that

correspond to sites of interest were collected using the

map or the GPS signal, while descriptive text and

photos completed the fields available in the attribute

table of the corresponding layer as attachments.

After having gathered and processed all the data

for the area, a decision had to be made as a follow-up:

the template of the Story Map. ESRI provides a

number of open source templates

which can be used

either as they are (or with minor CSS code

modifications in ArcGIS Online Assistant

) through

ArcGIS Online or can be downloaded through

GitHub, modified and then served through a private

server (Antoniou & Vassilakis, 2019). The first

approach was followed during the deployment of this

Story Map, not only due to the large number of users

expected to visit the application, but also due to the

lack of a private server capable of managing them.

As far as the visual output is concerned, a template

called Cascade Story Map

was implemented, to

present the available information, as it resembles an

easily accessible for the end user webpage.

Furthermore, due to the large variety of information

that are supposed to be presented, it has been decided

that the guided linear narration through immersive

scrolling is more effective for the users, than the one

that allows jumping from one tab to another without

sequence.

Finally, the Cascade Builder, accessed also with a

free, non-commercial ArcGIS public account, was

used to combine narrative text with webmaps,

images, and multimedia content in an engaging, full

screen scrolling experience, as described in the

following chapter.

https://storymaps-classic.arcgis.com/en/app-list/

https://ago-assistant.esri.com/

https://storymaps-classic.arcgis.com/en/app-list/

cascade/

GISTAM 2020 - 6th International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management

264

4 THE STORY MAP

In the Story Map created for Corinth Gulf

webmaps, narrative texts, images, tables, multimedia

content and scenes, which correspond to 3D

presentation of data, were used. Additionally, through

ArcGIS Desktop – Pro version 3D animations using

the available spatial data were created, while web

apps were embedded into the main application.

The thematic maps which are presented in the

application, were created directly in ArcGIS Online

based on the collected data, fieldwork and literature

review, depicting the most important and unique

points. In every webmap, the individual parameters

for each of the information layers, e.g. its symbol, the

appearance or not of pop-up menus, reference scale,

etc., have been determined (DiBiase et al. 1992;

Newman et al. 2010). Although the use of this

template does not require the knowledge of language

programming, ArcGIS Assistant was used, to perform

modifications in CSS coding.

Before using the Cascade Builder, all available

information was grouped into six categories covering

(a) the natural and anthropogenic environment:

general information for the wider area, (b) its

geological structure, (c) the geohazards that might

occur in it, (d) its biodiversity, (e) cultural

information and (f) recreation and outdoor activities

through tourism information across the involved

Municipalities around Corinthian Gulf. For each

category, webmaps or scenes were created using

corresponding data as mentioned below.

User’s first experience entering the web application

is a representative picture of the area (Fig. 4) as well

as, a way to navigate through the desired language. The

narrative starts giving general information about the

broader area, as its geographic location, the onshore-

offshore morphology of the area, the administrative

structure of the Municipalities bordering the Gulf and

concludes giving information for the anthropogenic

environment. Each narrative text is accompanied with

a webmap showing the spatial distribution of the data

presented using Imagery, OpenStreetMap or Light

Gray Canvas as basemap, while pop-ups give further

information. In addition, a video, in MP4 format, a

combination of successive thumbnails of spatial

distribution of feature layers along with an imagery

basemap animating the location and a multibeam

bathymetric map of the Corinth Gulf with 20m

isobaths (Nomikou et al, 2011) were used to enhance

the narration (Fig. 5).

https://nom.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.

html?appid=f68c3faa4a8348c9818a25e2925a466e

Figure 4: Screenshot showing the home page of Corinth

Gulf Story Map. In the upper right part, users can select the

desired language for the narration.

Figure 5: Screenshots showing the boundary (up) and

onshore-offshore morphology of the area (down).

The geological – tectonic structure of the area is

subsequently presented using Ocean basemap. Starting

with a 3D representation of the spatial distribution of

geological formations, which are distinguished in

alpine and post-alpine, a narrative text using

multimedia content describes the evolution of the gulf.

Users can use the tools on the right bottom of the map,

to zoom in and out or right-click anywhere on the scene

to tilt and rotate (Fig. 6). Due to the geodynamics of

the area, further information is given about the

geohazards that might occur in the area: earthquakes,

tsunamis, landslides, floods, coastal and soil erosion

and forest fires. Apart from maps showing the spatial

https://www.arcgis.com/home/index.html

Corinth Gulf Story Map: Enhancing Public Awareness in Natural and Anthropogenic Environment using Interactive GIS Applications

265

distribution of these phenomena, representative photos

of the area also enhance the narration.

Figure 6: Screenshot showing the three-dimensional

distribution of alpine and post-alpine formations of the area.

To better understand the high seismicity of the

area, an interactive dashboard was created showing

the earthquakes that occurred with in the period 2008-

2018 and their distribution. Filters can be applied to

minimize the results in every panel, using depth,

magnitude, year and area of event, while statistical

data present the result as a total number of

earthquakes and as a diagram with their distribution

according to magnitude (Fig 7).

Figure 7: Screenshot showing a dashboard where the high

seismicity of the area is presented. Users can modify the

data displayed according to earthquake’s magnitude and

depth, as well as the year and area of occurrence.

Figure 8: Screenshot showing the spatial distribution of

Natura 2000 areas around Corinth Gulf.

The natural environment, biodiversity and

ecosystems available in the area were presented

through a webmap showing the spatial distribution of

Natura 2000 areas (Fig. 8) around the gulf, using

Light Gray Canvas basemap, while photos and

narrative texts describe the unique flora and fauna of

the area.

The two following sections present the cultural

environment as well as recreation and outdoor

activities in the area. Due to the large number of sites

available, it was decided to present the five most

important for each Municipality. Cultural

environment section provides information about

archaeological sites – museums, cultural heritage

monuments and sport facilities available in the area.

For each category a webmap has been created

visualizing the spatial distribution of the data using

the morphology of the area as basemap. Selecting a

site of interest, further information is given through

text and photos in a pop-up format. The same

approach is adopted for the different kinds of

recreation and outdoor activities, which provides

information about fishing shelters, diving centers,

bathing waters, walking paths and religious sites (Fig.

9).

All the available information (texts, multimedia,

etc.) that was used in this interactive GIS application,

is properly mentioned, along with the research team

responsible for its creation, at the end of the story

map.

5 DISCUSSION

In the demonstrated application the aim was to

highlight, bio- and geo-diversity as well as cultural

and recreation sites, around Corinth Gulf. Using Story

Maps, a relatively new geographical approach, and

having open source code, provide many possibilities,

due to the simplicity of use, both from the aspect of

the developer and the end user. It allows integration

of new functions combining many scientific fields, in

a way that scientific knowledge is received and

comprehended by a broader audience. Furthermore, it

is responsive, and it can also be as interactive as the

developer wishes.

As shown in figure 10, the developed application

has already reached a number of users in a very

small period of time. Furthermore, having in mind

previous attempts (Antoniou, at al., 2018, 2019), this

can be an interactive way for presenting geological,

geomorphological and cultural contents of any

GISTAM 2020 - 6th International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management

266

Figure 9: Screenshots showing the spatial distribution of cultural environment and recreational and outdoors activities. Also,

representative photo is used to present general information about the walking paths of the area.

Corinth Gulf Story Map: Enhancing Public Awareness in Natural and Anthropogenic Environment using Interactive GIS Applications

267

significant area, especially places which can be

characterized as geotopes or protected areas

worldwide.

Figure 10: Screenshot showing accessibility statistics for a

6-month period.

Finally, as Corinth Gulf portrays a Natura 2000

area, this application provides a quick access of all

useful data to a wide audience, attracting interest and

possibly motivating people to learn more and visit the

area.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported and funded by Protection

and Rational Development Association of Corinth

Gulf “Arion”, in the framework of the Research

Project “Recording and highlighting the geo-cultural

heritage of the Corinth Gulf using modern digital

mapping tools” of NKUA.

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