Leaders Of Global Geological Mapping Project Meet

Leaders Of Global Geological Mapping Project Meet In New Zealand

A group of sceintists leading the development of the world’s largest geological mapping project – OneGeology- will meet in New Zealand this week to plan the next steps in the project.

The group, which comprises the Steering Group of OneGeology, is scheduled to have two days of talks at
GNS Science in Lower Hutt before embarking on a short North Island field trip. Each member of the Steering Group represents the national geological surveys of each of the world’s continents. New Zealand represents the nations of Oceania.

OneGeology involves 116 nations working together to produce the first unified digital geological map of the world. The project is doing the same for the rocks beneath our feet that Google does for maps of the Earth’s surface.

The project started in 2007 and today anyone with a web browser can instantly examine the geology of many parts of the planet, served from each contributing country. For a science that usually counts time in millions of years, this is no mean feat.

In early 2008, New Zealand was one of the first countries to provide a national digital geological map to the OneGeology portal. This map has already contributed to research on global rates of exchange of carbon between soil, atmosphere, and water. This is relevant with the advent of emissions trading schemes.

The key results of the OneGeology project include internet-accessible geological maps from around the globe and a new web language enabling nations to share data with each other and the public. The know-how to do this is being exchanged so that member nations can participate and benefit, regardless of their wealth and development status.

Ian Jackson, Chief of Operations at the British Geological Survey and coordinator of OneGeology, said geological maps were essential tools in finding natural resources - water, hydrocarbons, minerals and geothermal energy, and when planning to mitigate natural hazards - earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and tsunami. “Natural resources are a crucial source of wealth for all nations. Identifying geohazards is often a matter of life or death. Other challenges facing nations in the 21st century include rising sea level, management of waste (nuclear and non-nuclear), and underground storage of carbon dioxide emissions from large industrial sources,” Mr Jackson said.

“Knowledge of the rocks that we live on has become increasingly important, and sharing that knowledge at a time of global environmental change is crucial. By acting locally, but thinking globally, participating nations are contributing to a legacy for humankind.”

Alex Malahoff, Chief Executive of GNS Science and Chair of the OneGeology Steering Group, said it was a great pleasure to have this group of global science leaders in New Zealand.

“OneGeology is a high profile global initiative which is making an impact on geology and in improving access to invaluable public sector data. To be able to bring this meeting to our country, one of the most geologically active in the world, is a wonderful opportunity to put the global spotlight on New Zealand,” Dr Malahoff said.

While in New Zealand, the OneGeology group will take a guided tour of the Wellington Fault, visit GNS Science’s Wairakei office near Taupo, inspect a geothermal energy exploration drilling site, visit White Island, and tour the open-cast Martha gold and silver mine at Waihi.

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