Lecture and Lab Topics 1 Universal Transverse Mercator

Lecture and Lab Topics 1. Universal Transverse Mercator PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 1

What is Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)? The Universal Transverse Mercator grid or UTM is based on the Transverse Mercator projection PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 2

What is Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)? The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) defines two dimensional, horizontal positions. PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 3

What is Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)? • Latitude and Longitude creates problems when we are working on a very large scale map areas • Also degrees, minutes and seconds can be difficult to work with when we talk about distances eg. If I ask you to give me coordinates from Abu Dhabi Mall to Beach Rotana Building the number of degrees and minutes will be very small. • The UTM is in meters which is much easier to visualize and to use on large scale maps • UTM covers most of the planet except polar regions • Why do you think this is? PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 4

What is Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)? • The UTM divides the planet on a Transverse Mercator map projection in to 60 north to south Zones. • Each zone is exactly 6° wide. • UTM zones are numbered consecutively beginning with Zone 1. • Zone 1 covers 180° west longitude to 174° west longitude PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 5

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) What zone(s) do we live in? PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 6

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) What zone(s) do we live in? PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 7

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) The UAE is in two UTM grid squares therefore we describe half of it in terms of grid 39 N And the other half in 40 N PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 8

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) • Each zone on the UTM grid has a Central Meridian (I 0) • Reference latitude is the equator (f 0) • Scale at the central meridian is 0. 9996 to reduce distortion at the edges of the zone • Accuracy is one part in 1, 000 PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 9

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) • In each zone coordinates are measured in Northings and eastings in meters • The northing values are measured from zero at the equator in a northerly direction • In the southern hemisphere the equator is Assigned a false northing value of 10, 000 m • The central meridian in each zone is assigned an easting value of 500, 000 m PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 10

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Northing numbers are found on a map’s left and right margins, Easting values are found on the map’s top and bottom margins. Easting values originate from a central meridian drawn through the middle of each zone; they are assigned the value of 500, 000. Any location west of this meridian is a value less than 500, 000; east has a value greater than 500, 000. PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 11

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) UTM coordinates are always presented Easting/Northing. In other words, we form our UTM coordinates by starting from the left hand side of the map, working right, then moving upward from the bottom of the map to the point of interest. The common phrase to remember is read-right-up. Now, let’s see this in practice. The grid value of line A-A is 357, 000 meters east. The grid value of line B-B is 4, 276, 000 meters north. Point P is 800 meters east and 750 meters north of the grid lines; therefore, the grid coordinates of point P are north 4, 276, 750 and east 357, 800. 12

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) • When Using UTM it is useful to have a UTM Reader. • UTM readers are usually clear so you can lay them on a map. • There are different kinds for different map scales. PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 13

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) This is a UTM grid reader for 1: 24, 000 map scale (not to scale). The “ 1” represents 100 meters, “ 2” represents 200 meters, and so on. The numbers on the right are used to determine the northing coordinate location and the numbers on the top are used to determine the easting coordinate location. The point is plotted in the top right corner. PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 14

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Step 1: Find the northing And easting tick marks On the map. Identify the UTM grid Square in which the Given coordinate is located Find: (297, 480 E / 4, 834, 360 N) PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 15

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Step 2. Place the right corner of the grid reader in this grid square slide the grid reader so that the last three numbers of the easting coordinate (480) align on the north-south UTM coordinate (0297) Slide the grid reader so that the last three numbers of the northing coordinate(360) align on the east-west UTM coordinate (4834) PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 16

Using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Step 3. Plot point of UTM coordinate in the Upper right corner of the grid reader. PGEG 230 Geological Mapping 17

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