1. OneGeology
IC GS

2. What is OneGeology?
A project to make web-accessible the best available geological map data worldwide at a scale of about 1:1 million, as a Geological Survey contribution to the International Year of Planet Earth

3. Contents of this presentation
The principles behind OneGeology
The objectives
Drivers behind idea
How do we plan to do it?
Where are we now?
Who is involved?
What are the challenges?
Summary

4. The principles behind OneGeology
The givens
geological map data are essential to societal well-being and development
society has contributed through taxation for the geological map data that exists and they have a right of access to it 

5. The principles behind OneGeology
Geological surveys and geoscientists around the world have a responsibility to:
make accessible the best geological map data they have available now
that means map data which currently exists right now - not delaying access waiting for some hypothetically perfect, complete and consistent mapping
work towards consistent standards for data and access and thus a consistent data architecture and schematic interoperability
and ultimately as much consistency in semantics/classification and mapping as is practically possible
enhance and increase use of their data

6. The main objectives of OneGeology
Stimulate a rapid increase in interoperability (ie disseminate GeoSciML further and faster)
Making available geological map data accessible
in whatever digital format is available in the participating country
Transferring know-how to those who need it

7. That means OneGeology is:
focusing on Internet access to digital data rather than paper maps
society increasingly wants its information on-demand and thus digitally
adopting an approach that recognizes that different nations have differing abilities to participate.
Some are very well developed and provisioned, others barely have stable power supplies, let alone equipment and know-how .
facilitating the transfer of technical expertise and data between nations
Cutting the learning curve and costs to nations with limited resources but for whom the need for accessible geological data and the benefits they bring are just as great.

8. A crucial point
OneGeology is about schematic interoperability first, ie accessibility without geological reconciliation
The first objective is not about harmonising geological units and scientific classification across frontiers - that is something to be considered for the long term

9. Schematic interoperability means:
OneGeology aims to make accessible geological map data in a common data format without harmonizing the content and interpretation between territories.
This will allow geological mapping to be accessible for any area of the world (cf Google-Earth)
These map data may contain national "boundary faults" caused by data not being harmonized.
But this pragmatic approach will overcome the intractable difficulties of projects which have gone for complete data consistency

10. The drivers (1)
The UN General Assembly of 1997 (Agenda 21) urged the world to decrease the gaps in the availability, quality, standardisation and accessibility of data between nations.
The need to understand our global environment to solve global environmental problems at a global scale.
International Year of Planet Earth and the fact that geological surveys were looking for a tangible way to contribute
Around the world each geological survey had a treasure chest of data that just needed unlocking
The geoscience community needs to accelerate development of basic digital geological map standards to improve interoperability, sharing and accessibility of data and ……

11. The drivers (2)
…the great progress of GeoSciML, which gives OneGeology the “technical engine” and in return GeoSciML the “wheels” it needs to spread
The development of Spatial Data Infrastructures
The lessons learned in making digital map cover available and accessible in UK and Europe
The availability of robust computing/information systems
Create an aspirational benchmark for all nations
Transfer know-how to developing countries and produce maps/data to attract interest and investment.
A project that could involve and focus all geological surveys
Raise the profile of geoscience.
The Google Earth paradigm

12. How do we plan to do it?
Get as many nations/surveys as possible to make a commitment to deliver their piece of the global geological jigsaw puzzle
The target scale is 1:1 million, but the project will be pragmatic and accept a range of scales from 1: to 1:5 million
Work with the best available data - raster or vector
The concept is a distributed model - Geological Surveys will provide/serve the data for their territories to a web portal.
The project must be closely interlinked with the development and rollout of the geoscience data model and exchange language – GeoSciML
All those who have expressed interest have been invited to a kick-off meeting in Brighton, UK, March 2007
This will initiate the project and agree on high level specifications for the geological and information systems and project governance.
Plan is for first test datasets to be available Add data through 2008 present first results at the IGC in 2008 and keep adding data……

13. The basic OneGeology proposition

14. Where are we now?
53 Nations/Geological Surveys have expressed interest in OneGeology
6 global bodies and 2 other international geoscience organisations are supporting OneGeology
Draft MoU agreed between the 6 global bodies to create the essential international umbrella/credentials
Kick-off Workshop organised in Brighton, UK for March
87 Participants from 42 Nations attending the Kick-off Workshop
BGS are setting aside A$ to move project forward in 2007/08

15. Brighton Workshop Objectives/Success Criteria
Understand the visions and concerns of the potential participants
Develop consensus and share understanding of what OneGeology is
Produce a high-level project plan and schedule
Recommendations for project governance
Communicate project status
Review what map/data content is available in participant nations.
Define formats/ways to participate (including participation strategy for nations needing assistance)
Develop consensus on a high-level geological specification
Develop consensus on data input (data structure, data flow, etc)
Develop consensus on data output/access interface
Draft communication and recruitment plan
End the Workshop with broad participation in place (and a happy bonded team!)

16. OneGeology project stages
Plan and Develop
Implementation
Principles
Specification
Design
Hearts/Minds/Politics
Science and technology
The UK Workshop

17. Who is supporting OneGeology?
International Bodies
International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE)
IC GS
International Consortium of
Geological Surveys
Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW)
International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM)
International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)
UNESCO
EuroGeoSurveys
International Lithosphere Program

18. Who is involved?
Surveys and organisations

19. Who is involved?
Nations

20. challenges and opportunities
What are the problems
Not getting the message across about what OneGeology is/is not
Diverse views of what OneGeology should be and do
map or interoperability, simple or sophisticated
Encouraging participation
Perceived overlap/conflict with other international geoscience initiatives
Ownership and “geo-politics”
Internal national complications
(eg which survey/institute should be the representative; priority of OneGeology against other tasks)
Range of participant capability
Where will the funds/resources come from?
Sustaining the initiative

21. Summary OneGeology will …… One Geology is about ……
increase standards/tools take-up (GeoSciML)
help to make existing data accessible to the world (adding value to existing resources)
transfer know-how
One Geology is about ……
pragmatism (accept what is given)
not about geological harmonization
any format: paper/raster/vector
1:1M is the target scale

22. Acknowledgements John Broome, ESS, Canada
Harvey Thorleifson, AASG, USA
Kathryn Bull, BGS, UK
Jenny Forster, BGS, UK
Katy Booth, BGS, UK
Marie Cowan, BGS, UK
(OneGeology Workshop Organising Team)

23. Would you like to know more?
or contact