Time-dependent Atlas

This chapter introduces the concept of time-dependent atlases, explains how to access curated online atlases, and provides step-by-step guidance on creating custom atlases.

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What Is a Time-dependent Atlas?

In Time Machine, a time-dependent atlas refers to a sequence of raster maps that change over geological time, allowing users to visualize paleogeographic information dynamically. This concept is similar to time-dependent raster sets in GPlates, where each raster image represents a specific geological age, and the displayed image updates automatically as the reconstruction time changes.

Cited from: https://www.gplates.org/docs/user-manual/Import/#time-dependent-raster-sets

Using Online Atlases

Time Machine offers a set of curated time-dependent atlases via an online service.

• To access them, click the ➕ icon in the top-left corner to open the Online Atlas panel.

• Browse the list and click Add to Layer for any atlas of interest.

• Once added, the atlas will appear on the globe and update automatically as you move the time slider.

Each atlas includes information about its time coverage, helping users understand its temporal resolution and limitations.

Note: Atlases are designed for time-dependent visualization only and cannot be modified directly.

Creating a Custom Atlas

For performance reasons, it is recommended to use the desktop version of Time Machine when creating large atlases, as browsers have limited memory capacity.

To create a custom time-dependent atlas:

1. Log in to your user account and click Create Atlas.

2. Upload files:

   • Upload the series of raster image files that make up the atlas.

   • Upload a spreadsheet (CSV or Excel) containing file names and their corresponding geological ages.

3. Configure color scheme:

   • If the uploaded files are RGB images (e.g., .jpg, .png), this step will be skipped.

   • If the files are scientific raster formats (e.g., .tiff, .nc), choose a suitable color scheme for visualization.

4. Add metadata:

   • Fill in the basic atlas information: name, thumbnail, author, and references.

5. Click Finish and wait for the upload to complete.

Once created, the custom atlas will appear in My Atlas, and can be visualized like any other layer.