SeaDataNet > News > Geo-Seas – expanding SeaDataNet with geological and geophysical datasets
Geo-Seas – expanding SeaDataNet with geological and geophysical datasets
09/06/2009
Oceanographic and marine data includes a very wide range of types of measurements and variables that are used across a broad, multidisciplinary spectrum of projects and activities. Geological and geophysical data are an important category, comprising analytical data and derived data products from seabed sediment samples, boreholes, borehole samples, geophysical surveys (seismic, gravity, magnetic) of the seabed and sub-seabed, cone
penetration tests, and sidescan sonar surveys. Seismic and sonar data, together with samples and core data are essential for developing a complete understanding of the geology of the near seabed. Samples provide point data, these points can be connected using seismic and sonar profiles in order to obtain a clear understanding of the lateral and vertical distributions of sediment packages, or of bedrock.
For Europe a major share of geological and geophysical observations for the oceans and seas is collected and analysed by national geological surveys and research institutions, performing field surveys and undertaking research cruises. In addition, substantial volumes of data are collected by industry, government departments, academia and environmental organisations, either directly or by sub-contractors. These additional data are often deposited
with the geological surveys and research institutes. The national geological surveys have extensively sampled and surveyed the seabed and sub-seabed of the European seas over recent decades. Research institutes complement this with samples, cores and seismic data, both from the European seas and the world oceans.
Nowadays many data and data-products are managed by the national geological surveys and research institutes as digital records in local databases. Increasingly these ‘primary’ data are made available via the websites of the organisations, mostly by means of catalogues, and in some cases by online data access facilities.
A consortium, built within the framework of EuroGeoSurveys, comprising the national Geological Surveys of all fifteen EU countries and Norway, has applied successfully for the FP7 Geo-Seas project. The overall objective of Geo-Seas is to build and deploy a unified marine geoscientific data infrastructure within Europe. This will result in a major and significant improvement in locating, accessing and delivering federated marine geological and geophysical data and data-products from national geological surveys and research institutes in Europe to the community. Examples of primary datasets and data products that can be delivered by Geo-Seas to the user communities are bathymetric data and digital terrain models, lithological data, sediment grain-size data and geotechnical data. These types of data are important inputs to predictive modelling systems, and environmental monitoring and management networks.
The Geo-Seas partnership has taken a strategic decision to adopt the SeaDataNet interoperability principles, architecture and components wherever possible. This approach will allow the Geo-Seas project to gain instant traction and momentum whilst avoiding wasteful duplicative effort. It is envisaged that the SeaDataNet infrastructure will provide a core platform that will be adaptively tuned in order to cater for the specific requirements of the geological and geophysical domain. A range of additional activities for developing and providing new geological and geophysical data products and services will also be undertaken in order to fulfil the diverse needs of end-user communities.
The Geo-Seas project has started in May 2009 and will continue for 42 months.