Earth Data Store
A platform to aggregate and analyze geospatial and earth observation data.
Project Overview
Updated March 31, 2023.
The Problem
Canada’s iconic landscapes are defined by its resource-rich forests, fields, lakes, mountains and oceans. Our natural resources sector also contributes 17 per cent to Canada’s GDP.
Improved stewardship and management are needed to protect forests from wildfires that cost up to $1 billion annually, as well as to support sustainable development of major resource projects valued at $585 billion over the next 10 years.
The remote sensing sector is poised for enormous growth due to the volume of rich data sets that are now becoming accessible at a global scale. The frequency of satellite images of the Earth is also increasing at unprecedented rates, generating trillions of unique measurements (i.e., pixels) and Terabytes of data each day.
The challenge with this ‘big data’ is finding practical ways to extract value and deliver it to end users at scale, due to the complex nature and the sheer volume of information. A platform to aggregate and analyze this geospatial and earth observation data is needed.
How We Are Solving It
EarthDaily Analytics, in collaboration with Sparkgeo, Microsoft, the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria and Geoscience BC, are addressing this challenge with the development of the Earth Data Store project. This project will provide unparalleled access to standardized terrestrial and spatial earth observation data and develop industry-specific applications that will allow end users to see how a region evolves over time using visual interactive maps and running deep-learning algorithms.
The project is looking at relevant use cases, including the assessment of risk related to climate change and extreme weather events. Better access to and understanding of available data will enable researchers, businesses and government agencies to make informed decisions on a wide array of key environmental issues.
The Result
Through interactive visual maps and running deep learning algorithms, this project demonstrated an improved capability to observe and protect remote areas and to enable real-world applications in protecting aquatic ecosystems and predicting environmental disasters. EarthDaily created the world’s first satellite processing service, EarthPipeline, which now produces 10% of Brazil’s Earth Observation data for two international agriculture customers. Work in this project has also informed Microsoft’s demonstrations of their new Azure Orbital service; the development of ‘P3 Aqua’, a prototype application for marine environmental monitoring, by the University of Victoria; and Sparkgeo’s expansion of its product offering to new verticals.
Project Lead
Project Partners
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"The Earth Data Store platform will provide unique capabilities to guide city growth, environmental sustainability and respond to disasters such as forest fires and floods."
Technical Product Manager, EarthDaily Analytics Read our Impact Story