Introduction to theIntroduction to thegeological specificationgeological specification

IC GS

Harvey Thorleifson, 13 March 2007

Harvey Thorleifson,Harvey Thorleifson,Association of American State GeologistsAssociation of American State Geologists

Geological mapsGeological maps

an essential servicean essential service

CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE CHANGE

NGDC

we require geological we require geological mapping to fulfill our mapping to fulfill our objectivesobjectives

geology explains earth system linkages, climate geology explains earth system linkages, climate processes, & carbon sources/sinksprocesses, & carbon sources/sinks

geology guides work on natural records that document geology guides work on natural records that document variability, drivers, extreme events, & regional impactsvariability, drivers, extreme events, & regional impacts

geology will guide carbon capture and storage by deep geology will guide carbon capture and storage by deep geologic sequestrationgeologic sequestration

geology identifies thresholds & vulnerabilities in geology identifies thresholds & vulnerabilities in coastal zone dynamics, sea level change, permafrost coastal zone dynamics, sea level change, permafrost degradation, reduced glacier cover, groundwater quality degradation, reduced glacier cover, groundwater quality and quantity, flooding, dust storms and landslidesand quantity, flooding, dust storms and landslides

Climate change: the need for geological mappingClimate change: the need for geological mapping

• HeritageHeritage• HealthHealth• SecuritySecurity• WealthWealth

geological mapping plays an essential role geological mapping plays an essential role in addressing the full range of human needsin addressing the full range of human needs

• HeritageHeritageEarthEarthOceansOceansLandLandLifeLife

Role of geological mappingRole of geological mapping

Role of geological mappingRole of geological mapping

• HealthHealthToxic substances Toxic substances Waste disposalWaste disposal

• SecuritySecurityHazardsHazards

Role of geological mappingRole of geological mapping

• WealthWealthMaterialsMaterialsEnergyEnergyEngineeringEngineering

Role of geological mappingRole of geological mapping

• WaterWater HeritageHeritage

Aquatic ecosystem integrityAquatic ecosystem integrity

Role of geological mappingRole of geological mapping

• WaterWater HealthHealth

groundwater protectiongroundwater protection source water compositionsource water composition

Role of geological mappingRole of geological mapping

• WaterWaterSecuritySecurity

FloodingFloodingShoreline erosionShoreline erosion

Role of geological mappingRole of geological mapping

• WaterWater WealthWealth

water resourceswater resources

Role of geological mappingRole of geological mapping

• HeritageHeritage• HealthHealth• SecuritySecurity• WealthWealth

Role of geological mappingRole of geological mapping

an essential servicean essential service

1:25M1:25M

1:5M1:5M

1:~1M1:~1M

DetailDetail

SandSand

Benefits to our agenciesBenefits to our agencies

Increased awareness of our roleIncreased awareness of our role Increased awareness of our productsIncreased awareness of our products Increased use of our productsIncreased use of our products Increased support for our roleIncreased support for our role Increased benefits for our usersIncreased benefits for our users

1G goal1G goal

Coordinated web accessibility of existing ~1:1M Coordinated web accessibility of existing ~1:1M mapping, in its current geologic formatmapping, in its current geologic format

Our taskOur task

produce the 1st version of the 1G geological produce the 1st version of the 1G geological specification & establish a process to revise itspecification & establish a process to revise it

Question:Question:What sort of geological What sort of geological

specification will specification will OneGeology require?OneGeology require?

OneGeology geological specificationOneGeology geological specificationNational scale, commonly 1:500k - 1:5MNational scale, commonly 1:500k - 1:5MYour principal geological map, whether Your principal geological map, whether

bedrock, surficial, or combinedbedrock, surficial, or combinedOwnership & control remains with you; Ownership & control remains with you;

credit to your agency is clearcredit to your agency is clearYou have already written the geological You have already written the geological

specification for your mapspecification for your map Is that enough?Is that enough?

ConsiderationsConsiderations

Topographic baseTopographic baseLanguageLanguageTime scaleTime scaleLithologyLithologyStructureStructureGenesisGenesisCover – offshore, lakes, ice, sedimentsCover – offshore, lakes, ice, sediments

Discussion requiredDiscussion required

Throughout the meetingThroughout the meetingThis afternoonThis afternoonWednesday morning breakoutWednesday morning breakoutThursday morning presentationThursday morning presentationPost-meeting discussionsPost-meeting discussions

Geological mapsGeological maps

an essential servicean essential service