Geological applications of GIS

Abstract

Geological Information Systems (GIS) was the theme of the AGM of the Geoscience Information Group held at the NERC Unit for Thematic Infomation Systems, Reading University on 17 September 1991. The meeting was convened by G. Wadge to discuss what geological problems can be addressed by current GIS and what new technical capabilities are required to solve other problems. Eight papers were presented to an audience of 61 and five GISs were demonstrated over an extended lunch break. GIS has the potential for making published map revision easier and cheaper in the way that word processing has done away with repeat typing of draft manuscripts. J. L. Laxton (BGS Edinburgh) illustrated this potential by describing how a series of ten thematic geological maps from the Wrexham area, derived from solid and drift geological maps, mine plans, borehole and quarry information, were created. ARC/INFO was used for input, editing and overlay operations to produce vector maps. These were then transferred to a LEGIS (now HORIZON) system for combination with a raster base-map prior to plotting and production of masters for printing. Despite a number of technical problems it was argued that the data checking involved in this process produced a better quality product than traditional methods. In the first of three papers involving engineering geology applications, P. Nathanail (Wimpey) & M. Rosenbaum (Imperial College) gave an overview of the requirements of a GIS for this discipline. Data, particularly data structure , data storage and models of ground conditions were seen as