Harmonising the lithostratigraphic nomenclature: towards a uniform geological dataset of Switzerland

Abstract

Uniform geological datasets are a prerequisite for geological GIS analyses. Although the Geological Atlas of Switzerland 1:25,000 aims to supply spatial geological information nationwide, little effort has been undertaken in the past to harmonise this map series and its vector datasets. In the course of the HARMOS project, lithostratigraphic nomenclature was harmonised and standard map legends for a target scale of 1:25,000 were produced. This allows representing the lithostratigraphic units of Switzerland in a homogeneous way and sets a new reference in the lithostratigraphy of Switzerland. More than 40 experts in the field of regional stratigraphy contributed their knowledge to the project and, together with the Swiss Committee on Stratigraphy, guaranteed a high quality level. All results are presented in the Lithostratigraphic Lexicon of Switzerland, available cost-free online at http://www.strati.ch . By improving quality and accessibility of lithostratigraphic information, we supply a fundamental basis for the Swiss geological community and further research.