JoM Best Map Award

As JoM has grown since it was first published in 2005 we have established a growing back catalogue of articles, with maps covering many countries and, indeed, planets. From 2008 we have initiated a "Best Map" award to be presented to the single best contribution to the journal in the year it was published. Contributions are judged upon both their academic content and cartographic quality. It is neither the best academic paper nor the best designed map, but a combination of qualities from both areas. The winners of the award will, where financially and technically feasible, see their map published as part of a limited 500 copy print run which will be made available for sale "at cost".

Best Map - 2009

The award for the 2009 "Best Map" goes to David Evans (Durham University), David Twigg (Loughborough University), Brice Rea (University of Aberdeen) and Chris Orton (Durham University) for their mapping of the Tungnaarjokull (Iceland) glacier landsystem. The publication is titled:

Evans, D.J.A., Twigg, D.R., Rea, B.R. and Orton, C. (2009) Surging glacier Landsystem of Tungnaarjokull, Iceland, v2009, 134-151. 10.4113/jom.2009.1064.

Academically, it provides a "snapshot" in time recording landforms generated as a result of the 1995 glacier surge, presenting them within historical and process-oriented contexts. In terms of collaborative techniques, it combines excellent cartographic presentation, digital elevation model generation, stereoscopic photo-interpretation and ground truthing "in the field." It typifies the excellence of inter-disciplinary research work and is therefore a worthy winner.

Best Map - 2008

It is with great pleasure that we are able award the 2008 "Best Map" to Eva Sahlin and Neil Glasser at the Centre for Glaciology, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, for their publication titled:

Sahlin, E.A.U. and Glasser, N.F. (2008) Geomorphological map of Cadair Idris, Wales, Journal of Maps, v2008, 299-314. 10.4113/jom.2008.1011.

This map is the result of extensive and detailed field mapping and aerial photo interpretation of the Cadair Idris upland area in mid-Wales, forming the core of Eva's PhD thesis. It represents a large amount of work and will be used to develop further insights in to the operation of former ice cover in the region. It is therefore a significant contribution to geomorphology and glaciology, as well as an exemplar of cartographic design.