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The North Carolina-based advocacy group Appalachian Voices and several other environmental groups have created an archive of photos, satellite images, articles, and interviews exploring the impact of large scale surface mining in the eastern United States. Designed to introduce the public to the issue and ultimately spark calls for reform, the website offers users an opportunity to examine the human and environmental effects of mountain removal mining.
A FAQ and set of short documentaries provide a basic overview of the controversial mining technique. However, Appalachian Voices more creatively uses the technology and media available—presenting its case more dramatically—in a collection of photographs and Google Earth images showing the landscape before and after mining.
These images give users an almost visceral sense of the scale of the mining sites, as well as the effect on the land itself. The site also includes overlays comparing the area of the mines to the area of cities, such as this image showing the size of a large mine relative to New York City:
The online “memorials” to mountains also put a human face on the areas affected. The entries include short statements (either text or video) by residents describing their experiences as mines expanded near their homes. Short essays, newspaper articles, and some historical sketches provide context for understanding the impact of mining on each community.
The volunteers and staff members of Appalachian Voices see this type of surface mining as a threat to both the environment and local community life. The structure of the memorials creatively connects these two strains and allows users to move easily from the geographic to the human scale.
Link / Documentaries / Memorials