Arriving pre-loaded with 200 geospatial data maps from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey, the globe has a touch-screen panel that allows users to toggle between displays of carbon levels, vegetation patterns and the effects of natural disasters on the earth. The data also includes maps of the eight planets, the sun, the moon and the Milky Way galaxy.

TCU is creating its own maps, too. Under the direction of Tamie Morgan, professor of professional practice in geology, faculty and their students have constructed 12 displays on pollution, continental drift, forestation and other topics.

Ester Chitsinde ’14 created a map of agricultural land use for a geology class.