Geological Survey Organisation Research Articles

Practical Exploration of Eco-Geological Survey Mapping in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: Framework, Standard and Preliminary Cost Estimation

It is a common responsibility of all countries to protect the ecological environment and promote sustainable development. Eco-geology, which provides a basic guarantee for the rational utilization of natural resources, ecological protection and restoration, has gradually become a new hot spot of geological survey institutions in various countries. Eco-geological survey in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau plays an important role in regional ecological protection and global change research. Setting up workable budgets symbolizes the competence of geological survey organizations in fulfilling their responsibilities, and unreliable cost estimates can cause economic and political complications. The unclear scope definition and scarcity of project information available at early stages make it hard to generate reliable preliminary cost estimates. Hence, based on historical data and the practical experience of scientists who have been engaged in eco-geological survey in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau for a long time, this research aimed to develop a cost estimation model using statistical learning methods for geological survey organizations to forecast preliminary costs during the early stages of an eco-geological survey project to fulfill different cost control and managerial functions. This research makes full use of modern remote sensing technology and reasonably arranges the input of ground survey, drilling, geophysical exploration and other workloads, supplemented by the existing ecological monitoring station data. It comprehensively sorts out the work means and workload of field and office work needed to complete the map work, and it puts forward a consistent index system and preliminary cost calculation framework. On this basis, based on the principle of matching quantity and price, a reasonable budget standard or market price is selected to calculate the budget estimate of a single map sheet, and then, through the regional adjustment coefficient, the budget estimate of a map sheet covering the whole Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is extended and calculated. The budget estimate will provide effective support for the declaration of eco-geological survey projects in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and the calculation of the scale of project funds so as to ensure the smooth development of eco-geological surveying in the region.

European mineral intelligence – collecting, harmonizing and sharing data on European raw materials

Abstract The major share of raw materials needed to sustain our present lifestyle and even more importantly, required for the crucial green transition, are sourced outside Europe. The European Commission aims to enhance Europe's resilience and strengthen domestic sourcing. Although Europe has a long tradition of mining and extractive activities, it is acknowledged that there are several challenges to achieve European sourcing of certain raw materials such as the critical raw materials. A basic prerequisite to enable access to domestic raw materials is information on raw material occurrences, current and past mining activities, resources and reserves. The Geological Survey organizations (GSOs) of Europe play a key role in generating, compiling, gathering and storing the most up-to-date information as well as long-term data series on raw materials at national and regional levels. Over the last decade, the GSOs have joined forces and taken essential steps to harmonize and share data on raw materials. The results of this co-operation are illustrated as interactive maps on the European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI). This paper describes the data compiled in co-operation between the GSOs, and analyses the strengths and weaknesses of, as well as opportunities for and threats towards, the data.

How Does Perceived Organizational Support Reduce the Effect of Working Environmental Risk on Occupational Strain? A Study of Chinese Geological Investigators.

Sensitivity to working environmental risks is essential to ensure the safety of geological investigators, but persistent perceived risks may lead to occupational strain, with negative effects on physical and mental health. This study aimed to find ways to reduce the negative consequences of working environmental risk perception without losing situational awareness. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 268 participants from geological survey organizations, measuring their perception of working environmental risk, occupational strain, perceived organizational support, and other stressors. (1) The perception of working environmental risk and occupational strain of geological investigators was significantly higher than that of administrative staff, managers, and scientific researchers. (2) Working environmental risk is an important predictor of occupational strain in geological investigators even after controlling for other stressors. (3) Different dimensions of perceived organizational support play different roles in stress management; socio-emotional support negatively predicts occupational strain, and instrumental support moderates the relationship between working environmental risk perception and occupational strain. Our findings identify working environmental risk as one of the most prominent stressors for geological investigators. Socio-emotional support directly reduces occupational strain, while instrumental support buffers the effect of risk perception on occupational strain.

Analysis of the geological control on the spatial distribution of potentially toxic concentrations of As and F- in groundwater on a Pan-European scale

The distribution of the high concentrations of arsenic (As) and fluoride (F-) in groundwater on a Pan-European scale could be explained by the geological European context (lithology and structural faults). To test this hypothesis, seventeen countries and eighteen geological survey organizations (GSOs) have participated in the dataset. The methodology has used the HydroGeoToxicity (HGT) and the Baseline Concentration (BLC) index. The results prove that most of the waters considered in this study are in good conditions for drinking water consumption, in terms of As and/or F- content. A low proportion of the analysed samples present HGT≥ 1 levels (4% and 7% for As and F-, respectively). The spatial distribution of the highest As and/or F- concentrations (via BLC values) has been analysed using GIS tools. The highest values are identified associated with fissured hard rock outcrops (crystalline rocks) or Cenozoic sedimentary zones, where basement fractures seems to have an obvious control on the distribution of maximum concentrations of these elements in groundwaters.

Applied Multidimensional Geological Modeling: Informing Sustainable Human Interactions with the Shallow Subsurface

Book Review| August 03, 2022 Applied Multidimensional Geological Modeling: Informing Sustainable Human Interactions with the Shallow Subsurface Jeffrey R. Keaton Jeffrey R. Keaton Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., 4600 East Washington Street, Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85034 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (2022) 28 (3): 325–327. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.28.3.325 Article history first online: 03 Aug 2022 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jeffrey R. Keaton; Applied Multidimensional Geological Modeling: Informing Sustainable Human Interactions with the Shallow Subsurface. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 2022;; 28 (3): 325–327. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.28.3.325 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Applied Multidimensional Geological Modeling (2021) is a reference monograph written by 132 contributors to be “a valuable resource for those who want to begin geological modeling, to further develop geological models, or to apply geological models to resolving societal issues” (p. xxviii). It was published in June 2021 by Wiley in hardcover and e-book format. The book is organized into five parts: Chapters 1 through 4 comprise Part I (92 pages), which introduces modeling terminology and concepts, discusses the role of geological survey organizations, explores the shift from two-dimensional maps and cross sections to three-dimensional (3-D) and four-dimensional models, identifies... You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Assessment of the potential for underground hydrogen storage in salt domes

The study concerns the critical issue of large-scale hydrogen storage in salt domes. The article aims to present the methodology for the hydrogen storage potential assessment for salt domes. The method considers the size of storage caverns, their depth, the influence of convergence, and the geological structure of the selected salt domes. Statistical analysis of data from the underground cavern storage facility in the Mogilno salt dome allows determining the probability of constructing a salt cavern of a specific volume and depth in the selected salt domes. Estimates based on the developed methodology indicate that the average hydrogen storage potential for the analyzed salt domes ranges from 125.7 TWht after the first filling to 83.8 TWht after 30 years of operation. The maximum storage potential ranges from 178 to 155 TWht, respectively. In the case of the largest analyzed salt dome, where one may construct salt caverns at a depth that ensures moderate convergence, the storage potential amounts to 34.3 TWht after first filling. The presented methodology is the next phase of the research, which refines the previous estimates, allowing for more accurate forecasts of rock salt deposit capacity in terms of hydrogen storage. The presented problems are of interest to countries considering large-scale hydrogen storage, geological survey organizations, companies producing electricity from renewables, and petrochemical companies considering underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns.

Discovering Europe's seabed geology: the EMODnet concept of uniform collection and harmonization of marine data

Abstract Maritime spatial planning, management of marine resources, environmental assessments and forecasting all require good seabed maps. Similarly there is a need to support the objectives to achieve Good Environmental Status in Europe's seas by 2020, set up by the European Commission's Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Hence the European Commission established the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) programme in 2009, which is now in its fourth phase (2019–21). The programme is designed to assemble existing, but fragmented and partly inaccessible, marine data and to create contiguous and publicly available information layers which are interoperable and free of restrictions on use, and which encompass whole marine basins. The EMODnet Geology project is delivering integrated geological map products that include seabed substrates, sedimentation rates, seafloor geology, Quaternary geology, geomorphology, coastal behaviour, geological events such as submarine landslides and earthquakes, and marine mineral occurrences. Additionally, as a new product during the ongoing and preceding phase of the project, map products on submerged landscapes of the European continental shelf have been compiled at various time frames. All new map products have a resolution of 1:100 000, although finer resolution is presented where the underlying data permit. A multi-scale approach is adopted whenever possible. Numerous national seabed mapping programmes worldwide have demonstrated the necessity for proper knowledge of the seafloor. Acting on this, the European Commission established the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) programme in 2009. The national geological survey organizations of Europe have a strong network of marine geological teams through the Marine Geology Expert Group of the association of European geological surveys (Eurogeosurveys). This network was the foundation of the EMODnet Geology consortium which today consists of the national geological surveys of Finland, the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Russia, Germany, Montenegro and Iceland, as well as marine teams of research organizations in Portugal (IPMA), Bulgaria (IO-BAS), Romania (GeoEcoMar), the UK (CEFAS), Greece (HCMR) and Ukraine (PSRGE, replaced in the fourth phase by Institute of Geological Sciences, NAS of Ukraine). The consortium is further strengthened with experts from six universities: Edge Hill University (UK), Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), University of Tartu (Estonia), University of Crete through FORTH-ICS, Institute of Marine Science and Technology of Dokuz Eylul University (Turkey), and EMCOL Research Centre of Istanbul Technical University – altogether, 30 partners and nine subcontractors. The EMODnet Geology programme is now in its fourth phase, which started in September 2019. In addition to geological information, the wider EMODnet programme aims to also bring together information from European seas on seabed habitats, physical properties, chemistry, biology, human activities and hydrography. This paper describes the EMODnet Geology project and the different end products which were delivered in the end of the third phase and will be further developed during the recent fourth phase of the project.

The modern Geological Survey

The modern Geological Survey

The changing role of Geological Surveys: introduction

Abstract This volume is a collection of papers authored by senior managers and heads of Geological Survey organizations (GSOs) from around the world in an attempt to provide a benchmark on how GSOs are responding to national and international needs in a rapidly changing world. GSOs face an uncertain future and need to understand global trends. Whereas population trends are somewhat predictable, societal responses to change are much less so and technological change is fundamentally disruptive and chaotic. As countries adopt sustainable development principles and the public becomes increasingly (but not necessarily reliably) informed about environmental issues using social media, the integration of resource development and environmental stewardship becomes increasingly important. GSOs will continue to provide key information about Earth systems, natural hazards and climate change in this context. This introduction comprises a short review of the global trends affecting GSOs, a snapshot of the state of GSOs, examples of how GSOs are adapting their activities to the modern world, including the growing use of big data, and an examination of international collaboration between GSOs. The time is perhaps ripe to reinforce international collaborations through a global network of GSOs. To achieve this will require leadership and a focus on the big picture of global sustainability.

About this title - The Changing Role of Geological Surveys

Senior managers and Heads of Geological Survey Organizations (GSOs) from around the world have contributed a collection of papers to provide a benchmark on how GSOs are responding to national and international needs in a rapidly changing world. GSOs continue to provide key scientific information about Earth systems, natural hazards and climate change. As countries adopt sustainable development principles and the public increasingly turns to social media to find information about resource and environmental issues, the generation and communication of Earth science knowledge become increasingly important. This volume provides a snapshot of how GSOs are adapting their activities to this changing world. The different national perspectives presented converge around several common themes related to resources, environment and big data. Climate change and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals provide an increased incentive for GSOs of the world to work in harmony, to generate knowledge of Earth systems and to provide solutions for sustainable management of the planet.

Epilogue – The rhymes, musings and riddles of the International Community of Geological Surveys (ICOGS)

Abstract Building on the present volume, which provides a snapshot of Geological Survey organizations (GSOs) from around the world in 2020, this epilogue provides a retrospective on past efforts to form an international consortium of GSOs. These efforts have had the noble aim of bringing GSOs together to address problems of global scale, but have not fully succeeded in building a sustainable organization. The paper summarizes international discussions held over the past three decades, provides some analysis and makes some suggestions on how a world association of GSOs may become useful, credible and workable.

Geological Survey of Canada 8.0: mapping the journey towards predictive geoscience

Abstract The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) has been furthering the geoscientific understanding of Canada since its inception in 1842, the equivalent of seven generations ago. The evolution of the activities of the GSC over this period has been driven by evolving geographic, economic and political contexts and needs. Likewise, new technologies and evolving scientific methods and models shaped broadly the successive generations of GSC geoscience activities. The most recent GSC generation presented a mixed portfolio of large framework mapping geoscience programmes, and more targeted, hypothesis-driven geoscience research, and the development of decision support products for a range of government, industry and other stakeholders needs. Entering its eighth generation, the GSC and related organizations are embracing digital technologies for applications such as the evaluation of mineral resource potential, the evaluation of risks and the early warning of earthquakes. In order to do so, the GSC will need to develop new methods and systems in co-operation with other geological survey organizations, and target its data acquisition and research to further advance its ability to respond to the evolving needs of society to navigate geology through space and time, from the past to the present, and from the present to the future.

New insights on Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Bight Basin, Australia from IODP Site U1512

The Bight Basin, on Australia’s southern margin, is one of the world's most prospective deepwater frontier basins. The 10 offshore wells drilled in the basin had limited success or yielded disappointing results. There has been a strong dependence on seismic data to interpret stratal ages and the regional depositional history because of the limited number of wells, which are all in the more proximal region. In October 2017, the International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 369 drilled a hole at Site U1512 that straddled the Australian Geological Survey Organisation Survey s065 line 06 on the continental slope, ~67 km south-east of the Jerboa 1 well. The recovered core is the most extensive lithological dataset acquired from the basin and consists of a 10 m thick Pleistocene ooze overlying a 690 m succession of Turonian–Santonian strata. The Cretaceous strata consist of silty claystone with a few thin beds of glauconitic and sideritic sandstone (<32 cm thick). The Tiger Supersequence is substantially thicker than had been anticipated. Preliminary palynofacies analysis indicates a prevailing dysoxic marine environment, with the assemblage dominated by phytoclasts (40–90% of the assemblage). This may have been a consequence of high rates of freshwater runoff into the restricted basin. Rapid sedimentation rates (up to 260 m/Myr), the silt content (2–25%) and the palynofacies suggest the strata were deposited primarily by hyperpycnal and hypopycnal flows. These new datasets will provide a means to re-evaluate the palaeogeography of the basin and its resource potential.

Towards a common geological data infrastructure for Europe

Geology does not respect national borders. Hence, in order to get geological overviews of Europe, input from geological surveys in more than 35 countries is required. European policy makers have several times been forced to rely on the US Geological Survey to provide e.g. resource estimates from the European continent, but for obvious reasons there is a wish to base European decision making on European knowledge. Consequently, the European Commission and the European Parliament have formulated a request for the establishment of a ‘Geological Service for Europe’. In its strategy towards 2020, EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) addresses the creation of such a service through three pillars. EGS is an umbrella organisation through which national geological survey organisations of 36 European countries cooperate, referred to below as national surveys. The three pillars are designed to integrate input from all national surveys into a system that can swiftly act on urgent needs for knowledge-based decision support. The three pillars relate to joint research, data integration and sharing of facilities (Fig. 1). Whilst the third pillar has only recently been dealt with, the two first have already advanced through a number of recent initiatives. Having been a key player in numerous EU projects for many years, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) has attained a central role in the implementation of these two pillars of the strategy, both as coordinator of the European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI, www.europe-geology.eu) and as one of the biggest players in the so-called GeoERA programme. GEUS participates in ten projects and is a partner in the secretariat and the coordinator of the GeoERA Information Platform. The present paper outlines the main steps towards the current situation and provides a background for GEUS’ role in this.

The establishment of metadatabase: The program Euromarsin for the marin sediments samples

The project EUMARSIN (European MARine Sediment Information Network), is an international scientific project financed by the European Community and its aim has been the development of an internet retrievable metadatabase containing the marine sediment samples collected from the European Seas. The project, with duration of two years, started on November 1998 and ended on October 2000. This paper elucidates the concerted activities of the partners participating in the project and represent the Marine Geology Departments of the Eurogeosurveys (ERG) now called Geological Survey Organizations (GSOs) of the European Union maritime countries, with the additional participation of a private company specialized on marine data management. The metadata can be accessed on the EU-SEASED Website through both an alphanumeric search and retrieval interface and by a geographical interface which allows the user to define an area of interest on a scrollable map showing the distribution of the seafloor sample/core locations. The EUMARSIN metadatabase now contains approximately 180.000 seabed samples collected by the Geological Surveys and other research organizations, universities, hydrographie offices and commercial companies in Europe. The metadatabase will be regularly updated by the partners on an on-line data entry system which will allow other organizations to contribute their metadata either retrospectively or as new data. The outcome of the EUMARSIN project, will be the successful establishment of the http://www.eu-seased.net marine sediment metadatabase and the development of analogous databases in each Geological Institute with the same specifications. This constitutes the first pan-European metadatabase in the marine geoscience field.

Radiometric survey in geological mapping of basement complex area of parts of Southwestern Nigeria

Radiometric methods were used to investigate the radioactive properties of rocks in parts of southwestern Nigeria with a view to interpreting the geological structure and abundance of natural radioactive elements in the main type rocks. The airborne radiometric dataset of Ikole Sheet and ground radiometric data recorded from eight traverses in Akoko axis of the study area were processed. Results presented as maps and profiles displayed variations of high and low radioactive concentrations across the area. These maps showed moderate to very high concentrations and very low to low concentrations of the radioelements; uranium (4.5-13.0 ppm); (LLD-low limit of detection -3.0 ppm), Th (25.0-70.0 ppm); (8.5-16.0 ppm) and K (2.0-4.0 %); but the most often observed values are in the range 2.5-7.0 ppm, 22.0-30.0 ppm and 3.0-4.0% for U, Th, and K respectively. High concentrations imply that the rocks are crystalline, undeformed and are rich in feldspar and U-Th bearing minerals. While low radioactivity is attributed to varying geologic framework compositions; weathered materials or fluids formed as a result of intense metamorphism. The radiometric datasets proved valuable in delineating different rock types and serve as a complementary tool in identifying geochemical zoning of rocks in the area.ReferencesAjibade A.C. and Fitches W.R., 1988. The Nigerian Precambrian and the Pan-African Orogeny, Precambrian Geology of Nigeria, 45-53.Ajibade A.C., Woakes M. and Rahaman M.A., 1987.Proterozoic crustal development in Pan-African regime of Nigeria: In A. Croner (ed.) Proterozoic Lithospheric Evolution Geodynamics, 17, 259-231.Appleton J.D., Miles J.C.H., Green B.M.R, Larmour R., 2008. Pilot study of the application of Tellus airborne radiometric and soil geochemical data for radon mapping. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 99, 1687-1697.Arisekola T.M. and Ajenipa R.A., 2013. Geophysical data results preliminary application to uranium and thorium exploration. IAEA-CYTED-UNECE Workshop on UNFC-2009 at Santiago, Chile 9-12, July, 12.Bayowa O.G., Olorunfemi O.M., Akinluyi O.F. and Ademilua O.L., 2014.A Preliminary Approach to Groundwater Potential Appraisal of Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. International Journal of Science and Technology (IJST), 4(3), 48-58.Bierwirth P.N., 1997. The use of airborne gamma-emission data for detecting soil properties.Proceedings of the Third International Airborne Remote Sensing Conference and Exhibition.Copenhagen, Denmark.Grasty R.L. and Multala J., 1991. A correlation technique for separating natural and man-made airborne gamma-ray spectra. In: Current Research, Part D, Geological Survey of Canada, 111-116.Grasty R.L., Minty B.R.S., 1995a. A guide to the technical specifications for airborne gamma ray surveys. Australian Geological Survey Organization, Record.Grasty R.L., Minty B.R.S., 1995b. The standardization of airborne gamma-ray surveys in Australia. Exploration Geophysics, 26, 276-283.IAEA, 1991. Airborne gamma ray spectrometer surveying, International Atomic Energy Agency, Technical Report Series, 323.IAEA, 2007.International Atomic Energy Agency. Safety Glossary, Terminology used in Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection-2007 Edition.Jones H.A. and Hockey, 1964.The Geology of part of’ Southwestern Nigeria.Geological Survey, Nigeria bulletin, 31.Kearey P., Brooks M. and Hill I., 2002. An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration.3rd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 262.Milsom J., 2003. Field Geophysics: The geological field guide series, John Milsom University College, London. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd. Third edition, 51-70.MontajTM Tutorial, 2004. Two - Dimensional frequency domain processing of potential field data.Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), 2009. Geological map of Nigeria prepared by Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, 31, ShetimaMangono Crescent Utako District, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.Omosanya K.O., Ariyo S.O., Kaigama U., Mosuro G.O., and Laniyan T.A., 2015. An outcrop evidence for polycyclic orogenies in the basement complex of Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Geography and Geology, 7(3), 24-34.Oyawoye, M.O., 1972. The Basement Complex of Nigeria.In African Geology. T.F.J. Dessauvagie and A.J. Whiteman (Eds) Ibadan University Press, 67-99.Oyinloye A.O., 2011. Geology and Geotectonic Setting of the Basement Complex Rocks in Southwestern Nigeria: Implications on Provenance and Evolution. Earth and Environmental Sciences, 98-117. ISBN: 978-953-307-468-9.Rahaman M.A., 1981. Recent Advances in the Study of the Basement Complex of Nigeria.First Symposium on the Precambrian Geology of Nigeria, Summary.Rahaman M.A., Emofureta W.O. and Vachette M., 1983. The potassic-grades of the Igbeti area: Further evaluation of the polycyclic evolution of the Pan-African Belt in South-western Nigeria. Precambrian Resources, 22, 75-92.Woakes M., Rahaman M.A., Ajibade A.C., 1987. Some Metallogenetic Features of the Nigerian Basement. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 6(5), 655-664.

A geological model of London and the Thames Valley, southeast England

Many geological survey organisations have started delivering digital geological models as part of their role. This article describes the British Geological Survey (BGS) model for London and the Thames Valley in southeast England. The model covers 4800km2 and extends to several hundred metres depth. It includes extensive spreads of Quaternary river terraces and alluvium of the Thames drainage system resting on faulted and folded Palaeogene and Cretaceous bedrock strata. The model extends to the base of the Jurassic sedimentary rocks.The baseline datasets used and the uses and limitations of the model are given. The model has been used to generate grids for the elevation of the base of the Quaternary, the thickness of Quaternary deposits, and enabled a reassessment of the subcrop distribution and faulting of the Palaeogene and Cretaceous bedrock units especially beneath the Quaternary deposits.Digital outputs from the model include representations of geological surfaces, which can be used in GIS, CAD and geological modelling software, and also graphic depictions such as a fence diagram of cross-sections through the model. The model can be viewed as a whole, and be dissected, in the BGS Lithoframe Viewer. Spatial queries of this and other BGS models, at specific points, along defined lines or at a specified depth, can be performed with the new BGS Groundhog application, which delivers template-based reports.The model should be viewed as a first version that should be improved further, and kept up to date, as new data and understanding emerges.

Transnational 3D modeling, geopotential evaluation and active fault assessment in the Alpine Foreland Basins – the project GeoMol

The Alpine Foreland Basins bear a multitude of natural subsurface resources (geopotentials) which can contribute substantially to boost green energy. Sustainable planning and management of geopotentials requires a holistic, transnational and three-dimensional evaluation of the geological fundamentals. Facing different data availability and policy in the Geological Survey Organizations (GSOs) in charge, transnational collaboration calls for a maximum of coordination from the very beginning of the data preparation and the 3D modeling processes, based on concerted proceedings and best practice in seismic processing and interpretation, 3D modeling and geopotential assessment, and demands a geo data infrastructure for full interoperability among the partners and the dissemination of seamless results.This article outlines the objectives and scope of the GeoMol project and summarizes the state of the art of its achievements to provide cross-border harmonized information via a web accessible exchange and information system.

Acting Locally, Thinking Globally: One Geology?

Geological survey organizations around the world are responsible for geological data for their own countries, but until recently those data had never been made accessible worldwide. This raised the question of whether we really do have a holistic understanding of the geology of our planet—one geology. OneGeology (http://www.onegeology.org) is a global venture created to increase the accessibility of geological map data and make them available on the Web. Geological survey organizations from 113 countries are currently participating in OneGeology, and to date more than 40 of those organizations are serving geological data to a dedicated Web map portal (see Figure 1).Since its inception in February 2006, OneGeology has been extremely successful. A growing number of geological survey organizations are contributing data and through the project have developed the know‐how to do so; the initiative has raised the profile of and moved forward interoperability in the geosciences; scientists and educators around the world have made innovative use of the newly accessible data; and the initiative has received much positive publicity. The reason for the success of OneGeology since its inception lies in its three unifying goals: (1) to make existing geological map data Web accessible; (2) to transfer know‐how to the developing world; and (3) to accelerate the progress of an emerging geoscience data interchange standard. As a result of the publicity and media profile of the initiative, a fourth goal has been added: to use OneGeology to raise the public profile and understanding of geoscience.

Customising the geological timescale for use in Australasia

The global standard geological timescale (GTS 2004) is largely built around northern hemisphere datasets. Consequently, a large proportion of the biozones used in Australia were not included, thus hampering its implementation in the region. Previously, most of the Australasian biozonal schemes had been tied to the Australian Geological Survey Organisation timescale (AGSO 1996) but each of these needed to be recalibrated to tie with the updated and globally standardised GTS 2004. This process was complicated by the fact that several of the local biozonal schemes have been revised in the intervening period. The updates of Australian biozones to GTS 2004 compliance were accomplished using extensive literature searches as well as targetted reviews of some biozonal schemes. These recalibrated and amended schemes have now been included in Geoscience Australia’s Timescales Database, which acts as a core lookup table for numerous databases across the organisation. In 2010, GTS 2004 will be replaced by an updated standard timescale. To facilitate this transition and other future revisions, Geoscience Australia’s Timescales Database is being revised to store the relationships between biozones and the geological timescale in a format that will allow essentially automatic, rather than protracted manual, updates. A public visualisation software package, Time Scale Creator, is available on the web from the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) to display user-selected intervals from an ICS database suite of over 20,000 biological, geomagnetic, sea-level, and other events with ages consistent with GTS 2004. Geoscience Australia (GA) has compiled a customised datapack for Time Scale Creator which includes most Australian biozonal schemes. In addition, Geoscience Australia is using the lithostratigraphic capabilities of this software package to generate basin biozonation and stratigraphy charts, which supersede those published nearly a decade ago.