Inside every GEO event report, a set of map controls lets you change how you view the data — from the map style to the layout to how individual layers are displayed. This article covers all the controls available within a report.
[SCREENSHOT: GEO event report with the right-hand toolbar visible, showing layout and map type controls]
Map layout: Single, Dual, and Slider views
The layout controls are in the top-right of the event report. They change how the map canvas is arranged.
Layout | What it does |
Single | One map showing all active layers. The default view. |
Dual | Two maps side by side showing the same area. Each side can have different layers and map types — useful for comparing pre- and post-event imagery, or Exposure against Claims. |
Slider | One map with a draggable divider. Drag left or right to reveal different layers on each side. Useful for before/after imagery comparisons. |
[SCREENSHOT: Dual map view showing pre-event satellite on the left and post-event imagery on the right]
Assigning layers to one side in Dual or Slider view
When you're in Dual or Slider view, you can pin any layer to just one side of the map:
Open the Layers panel on the right.
Find the layer you want to assign.
Click the three-dot menu (⋯) on that layer.
Select Left, Right, or Both.
This lets you put pre-event imagery on the left and post-event imagery on the right, for example, while keeping damage layers on both sides.
Map type
The map type controls the base map displayed beneath the layers. Find these in the bottom-right corner of the map canvas.
Map type | Description |
Monotone | Clean neutral base — good for layer visibility |
Light | Standard light road map |
Dark | Dark base — useful for high-contrast layer viewing |
Satellite | Mapbox satellite imagery as the base map. Note: this is background satellite, not MIS event imagery |
In Dual view, each side has its own map type selector, so you can have satellite on one side and monotone on the other.
Location Labels
The Location Labels toggle (found in the bottom-right controls) overlays street names, city names, and other place labels above all other layers. Turn this on when you need geographic context — for example, to identify which city a damage cluster falls in. Turn it off when the labels clutter a detailed layer view.
Zoom to layer
Each layer in the Layers panel has a Go To button. Clicking it zooms the map to the full extent of that layer. Use this to quickly orient yourself on a large or complex event where layers cover different areas.
Measure Distance
GEO includes two measuring tools that let you take direct measurements on the map: one for distance, one for area. Both are in the toolbar at the top-right of any event report.
[SCREENSHOT: Top-right toolbar on an event report showing the Measure Area tool]
The Measure Distance tool draws a line between two or more points on the map and shows the total distance.
To measure a distance:
Click the Measure Distance icon in the top-right toolbar.
Click the starting point on the map.
Click each additional point along the path you want to measure.
Review the value in the Measure Component
Click the (x) on the Measure Component to complete the measurement.
The distance is shown on the map in both kilometres and miles.
When to use it: Measuring the distance between a portfolio location and the nearest body of water is the most common use — useful for assessing flood risk. You can also measure how far a property sits from a wildfire perimeter or storm surge boundary.
[SCREENSHOT: Event report with a distance measurement drawn from a property to a nearby fire perimeter, showing the measurement label]
Measure Area
The Measure Area tool lets you draw a polygon on the map and calculates the area it encloses.
To measure an area:
Click the Measure Area icon in the top-right toolbar.
Click to place each corner of the area you want to measure.
Review the value in the Measure Component
Click the (x) on the Measure Component to complete the measurement.
The area is shown in square metres and square kilometres.
When to use it: Useful for estimating the footprint of a building or structure, or measuring the portion of a roof or property that appears damaged in post-event imagery. Claims adjusters sometimes use this alongside oblique imagery to estimate repair areas before a site visit.
[SCREENSHOT: Event report with an area polygon drawn around a building footprint, showing the area measurement label]
Clearing measurements
Measurements stay visible until you clear them. To remove a measurement, click the measurement label and select Delete, or close and reopen the tool.
FAQ
Can I compare two different events side by side?
Not directly within a single report — Dual view shows two views of the same event. To compare events, open them in separate browser tabs.
The Slider view isn't dividing the layers the way I expected. What should I check?
Make sure you've assigned layers to Left or Right using the three-dot menu. Without assigning sides, both layers will show on both sides and the slider won't separate them.
Is the Satellite base map the same as the MIS event imagery?
No. The Satellite map type uses Mapbox background imagery and is not updated for events. MIS event imagery is a separate layer — see [Pre & Post-Event Imagery].
Can I save a measurement for later?
No. Measurements are for reference during your current session and are not saved. If you need to record a measurement, note it down before leaving the page.
The measurement tool won't let me start drawing. What should I do?
Make sure you've clicked the icon to activate the tool before clicking the map. If another tool is active (such as Location Search), deactivate it first.
Can I measure in different units?
GEO shows both metric and imperial values simultaneously, so you don't need to switch between units.
Related articles
[Pre & Post-Event Imagery]
[Quickviews]
[Understanding GEO Layers]
[Oblique Imagery]
[Uploading Your Own Data]