New and emerging technologies are changing the world as we know it, and how we choose to perform geologic fieldwork is changing as well. Recent developments in hardware and software provide unprecedented opportunities not only for conventional field studies but also for persons traditionally exempt from field-related research because of mobility issues or inability to travel. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) first allowed digital geologic mapping in the field, and these systems remain in widespread use because of ease of use and ease of data duplication for collaboration in work teams or field classes. We present a general 2D workflow based on GIS approaches that affords opportunities for physically disadvantaged individuals that includes cognitive steps driven by the data assembly process in GIS. Most notable is the digitization of linework and exploration of an area with Google Earth Pro (GEP) as steps, outside the field, that allow assessment of an area to formulate hypotheses that can be done by a physically disadvantaged person as well, or better, than those physically capable of field exploration. We then explore emerging technologies including pseudo-3D viewing using image drapes on an elevation model (aka 2.5D method) and true 3D approaches based on Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry that provide a powerful toolbox back at the office or at base camp that does not require physical abilities or direct field access. These 3D tools are potentially transformative for mobility impaired individuals that could allow them to work individually, or as part of a team, to assess field related problems. For all 3 levels of digital mapping (2D, 2.5D and 3D) we emphasize specific workflows designed to help the researcher perform digital geologic mapping with a specific focus on individuals with limited mobility. Some or all of what we suggest here, however, is of benefit to any field geologist and can be used to augment, or completely perform field studies.

正如我们所知，新兴技术正在改变世界，我们选择进行地质野外工作的方式也在发生变化。硬件和软件的最新发展不仅为传统的实地研究提供了前所未有的机会，也为传统上因行动不便或无法旅行而免于从事实地相关研究的人提供了前所未有的机会。地理信息系统 (GIS) 首先允许在现场进行数字地质测绘，并且这些系统仍然广泛使用，因为易于使用和易于数据复制，以便在工作团队或现场类别中进行协作。我们提出了一个基于 GIS 方法的通用 2D 工作流，它为身体不利的个人提供了机会，其中包括由 GIS 中的数据组装过程驱动的认知步骤。最值得注意的是，使用 Google 地球专业版 (GEP) 将线条和探索区域的数字化作为步骤，在场外，允许对区域进行评估，以制定可以由身体上处于不利地位的人或更好地完成的假设，比那些身体上能够进行野外探索的人。然后，我们探索新兴技术，包括在高程模型上使用图像覆盖的伪 3D 观察（也称为 2.5D 方法）和基于运动结构摄影测量的真正 3D 方法，这些方法在办公室或大本营提供了一个强大的工具箱不需要身体能力或直接进入现场。这些 3D 工具对于行动不便的个人来说具有潜在的变革性，可以让他们单独或作为团队的一部分工作，以评估与现场相关的问题。对于所有 3 个级别的数字制图（2D、2.5D 和 3D）我们强调旨在帮助研究人员执行数字地质测绘的特定工作流程，特别关注行动不便的个人。然而，我们在此提出的部分或全部建议对任何野外地质学家都有好处，可用于增强或完全执行野外研究。