Earth and computer scientists from 79 nations, have worked together on OneGeology, a global project to produce the first digital geological map of the world. The results of this project will do the same for the rocks beneath our feet that Google Earth has done for maps of the earth's surface. These scientists have achieved their goal in just over one year after initiating this world-wide project.
OneGeology is supported by UNESCO and six other international umbrella bodies. It is the flagship project for UN International Year of Planet Earth 2008 and its findings will be unveiled at 33rd International Geological Congress in Oslo, Norway on 6 August 2008. The key results of the project are:
- Geological maps from around the globe are accessible on the World Wide Web;
- A new web language has been written for geology which allows nations to share data with each other and the public;
- The know-how to do this is being exchanged so that all nations across the world, regardless of their development status, can take part and benefit.
Garth Earls, Director of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) explained: "GSNI has a particularly close working relationship with UNESCO due to its management role of the global Geopark network. Our involvement in this flagship project for International Year of Planet Earth places Northern Ireland firmly at the front of this global geological shop window.
“GSNI will also be presenting two conference papers at this world geological congress on the subject of the Tellus project, a geochemical and geophysical survey of the earth’s surface and subsurface throughout Northern Ireland from 2004 to 2007.”
Explaining the significance of OneGeology, Ian Jackson, Chief of Operations at the British Geological Survey, who is coordinating the project explained: "Geological maps are essential tools in finding natural resources such as water, hydrocarbons and minerals, and when planning to mitigate geohazards including earthquakes, volcanoes and radon. Natural resources are a crucial source of wealth for all nations, especially those that need to develop and build their economies. Identifying geohazards is often a matter of life or death.
“Other challenges facing all nations in the 21st century include rising sea levels, management of waste (nuclear or domestic) and storage of carbon. Knowledge of the rocks that we all live on has become increasingly important and sharing that knowledge at a time of global environmental change is crucial.”
The scientists will be unveiling the result of their work at the 33rd International Geological Congress in Oslo, Norway on 6 August 2008.
Notes to Editors:
1. For media enquiries please contact DETI Press Office, telephone +44 (0) 28 9052 9297. Email:pressoffice@detini.gov.uk . Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
2. Images, fact sheets and tech sheets are available online. Spectacular Earth images are available to download direct from
www.onegeology.org/press_information.html. The OneGeology project website is at www.OneGeology.org
3. International organisations supporting OneGeology include: UNESCO; International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS); International Consortium of Geological Surveys (ICOGS); EuroGeoSurveys; Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW); International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM) and International Lithosphere Program
4. OneGeology Project
The OneGeology project was initiated in England in March 2007, when leading scientists from more than 43 countries around the world, from as far apart as Australia and Brazil, Canada and Russia, Namibia and Japan met to agree and plan the details of this global project. A movie capturing this event may be seen at http://www.onegeology.org/docs/brighton_workshop/onegeology.html.
5. International Year of Planet Earth 2008
The International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) was proclaimed for 2008 by General Assembly of the United Nations in its Plenary Session on the 22nd December 2005. The aim of the IYPE is to demonstrate new and exciting ways in which Earth sciences can help future challenges involved in ensuring a safer and more prosperous world. More about IYPE can be found at: www.esfs.org
6. The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland
GSNI was established in 1947 and, as part of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, provides geological expertise for government, industry and the public.
