Have you ever wanted to create a time-lapse of the Earth? With Soar, it’s never been easier, in fact, anyone can do it in just a few simple clicks. Whether you’re tracking a glacier’s slow drift, watching a city fill out over years, or capturing the dramatic changes of our planet, Soar turns these satellite images into animated maps. What once required complex tools and technical know-how can now be done right in your browser!

In this post we’ll walk you through the whole process, step-by-step. By the end you’ll know how to make your own, just like these!

First, what are they?

GIFs maps are animated loops made from a series of satellite imagery, usually showing real-world change across time. Whether it’s months of deforestation, flooding over a week, or a city growing year by year, these GIF maps let you see change instantly.

So, how do we make one?

On Soar, people are already able to grab free satellite imagery using Sentinel, which takes images of the Earth every few days. Now you can add those to a timeline to turn them into animated, looping GIF maps.

1. Visit https://soaratlas.com/satellites/sentinel and zoom into the location you have in mind. You can always use the ‘Search for location’ bar to get there quicker!

‍

2. Draw a box around the area you want to capture by clicking ‘Draw AOI’ and dragging out a box. This will then show a list of recent satellite images from Sentinel.

‍

3. Select the first date you want to use. You can go back in time using the drop down, which lets you go as far back as 2015.

‍

4. Once you’ve found a date you like, you can click the ‘Create an animated GIF’ button to start adding more dates to your timeline. Add more dates by clicking the ‘+ Add scene to GIF’ button.

‍

5. Once you’re happy with your timeline, click ‘Make GIF’ and choose your preferred settings. In just a few moments, Soar will compile your imagery.

‍

6. The last step is to download, share, or even upload your GIF as a GIF map on Soar. This will let you keep your map on your profile and make it discoverable by everyone.

‍

And just like that, we have a GIF!

Take a look at how our area of capture transforms through the seasons, from snow-covered peaks to lush green landscapes.

‍

Why GIF maps are important!

Creating animated maps like these gives you a powerful new way to tell stories. Whether you’re a researcher, journalist, environmentalist, or just curious, this tool opens the door to visualizing change in an intuitive, impactful way everyone can understand.

We’ve already seen some stunning examples that show just how powerful these GIFs can be. I think you’ll agree, the results are fascinating!

Here’s some ideas you might want to explore yourself:

• Deforestation in the Amazon
  
  
• Urban sprawl in major cities
  
  
• Seasonal changes in farmland
  
  
• Water levels in lakes and reservoirs
  
  
• Bushfire scars and regrowth
  
  
• Glacier retreat over the years
  
  

What’s the difference between a GIF and a GIF Map?

Unlike a regular GIF, these loops become true maps when they’re anchored to Soar’s basemap through a process called georectification. In simple terms, this means the GIF is placed in its real-world location, giving it geographic context. The result is powerful: you can pan and zoom around to see exactly where on Earth the changes are happening. You can even switch between different basemap styles, like street maps, while keeping your animated overlay on top to highlight the changes clearly.

GIF maps are live now on Soar and free to use for everyone! It’s so easy and a ton of fun to make, so go ahead, pick a spot, choose your dates, and let the Earth come to life.

‍

Disclaimer: This blog (and its screenshots) reflect Soar version 6.3. The interface and functions may differ in newer versions.