TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF ETHANOL USE IN THE UNITED STATES: 1981-1998

Ethanol data is analyzed cartographically for the 1981-1998 period. Temporal geographic information system (TGIS) methods were used to analyze spatial aspects of ethanol's changing pattern of distribution. Most ethanol is consumed as a mixture with gasoline that is generally called gasohol. Ethanol use expanded from 71.3 million gallons in 1981 to 1.3 billion gallons in 1997. Pattern changes were examined from magnitude, market share and per capita use dimensions. Changes were examined from both static and dynamic perspectives. Ethanol consumption exhibited distinct locational patterns that were focused on the midwestern states. Prospects and uncertainties regarding the future development of ethanol were discussed.