SIGMA System for Integrated Geoscience MApping Andy Howard

SIGMA System for Integrated Geoscience MApping Andy Howard Kingsley Dunham Centre Keyworth Nottingham NG 12 5 GG Tel 0115 936 3100 www. bgs. ac. uk

BGS Onshore Geological Surveysprogramme review User needs Prioritised programme Programme Development Group, including key users and user survey Products and services Outputs Scoping Study Survey methodologies Methods Scoping Study

‘The new programme will focus firmly on meeting the need for up -to-date 3 D geological information to underpin sustainable development and environmentally sound decisions in a modern diverse economy’ Geology for our diverse economy Walton, G. & Lee, M. K. 2001. BGS

Programme outputs New digital & printed products • • • Products from UK Dig. Map 50 k & supporting databases • digital data • print-on-demand thematic maps • maps and site reports for non-specialists GIS-based products for professional users (CD/web) • thematic GIS and detailed descriptions of geology • phased replacement of memoirs and map explanations Quality printed products • revised UK Regional Geology Guides • Special Memoirs • printed 50 k geological sheets (!!)

‘Joined-up surveying’ - a modelling process 1835 -2000 Conceptual 3 D model Geological map Geological surveys 2000 + Digital databases & 3 D models Wide variety of products and services

SIGMA - objectives (1) To……. Provide a structured methodology for the geological surveying process

SIGMA - objectives (2) In a way that…. . • satisfies user needs • populates the corporate databases & Digital Geoscience Spatial Model with new knowledge • improves efficiency • enhances the quality, relevance and diversity of BGS products and services

SIGMA - objectives (3) So that we • broaden our customer base (more customers and more different types of customers) • secure our future income • avoid litigation

When to digitise? 1. 2. 3. Digital Analogue DIGITAL & ANALOGUE OUTPUTS Digital Inefficiency and incompatibility Analogue Digital

‘Mapping’ the geology

Typical survey workflow Acquire relevant external data Add data to corporate databases Assemble data into project workspace Can we do this digitally? Test existing model against new data Plan survey & desk revision to update model Multi-discip. survey and/or desk revision Refine and check new model Produce and deliver new high quality output

Can we do this digitally? Acquire relevant external data Add data to corporate databases Assemble data into project workspace Test existing model against new data Plan survey & desk revision to update model Multi-discip. survey and/or desk revision Refine and check new model Produce and deliver new high quality output TRICKY!! YES Some, but not all Difficult design to Capability GIS data can be capture used Data can be But new tools Much ofto our data tool forand produce digital refine edit to is to highlight pulled from needed to willexpensive; continue assembling asince maps early digital maps needs survey corporate visualise, arrivesince intargets paper model, rather 90’s early 90’s. streamlined servers into integrate andthan format capturing a map production line, project GIS annotate data But needs QA process already on paper. integrating needs to bewith and corporate workspace Even harder to preceding data designed data structure implement in the capture process. field. ‘Sample point’ capture easier.

External digital data Products & Services External analogue data Internal analogue data Capture to BGS-wide standards SIGMA Baseline Data Corporate digital databases New Updates Read only Project workspace & browser Data visualisation interfaces Data capture/editing interfaces SIGMA Toolkit (office & field)

Tools and data Progress so far Geologists spatial data capture interface Digital map production & Dig. Map UK Corporate Data model Project based 3 D models and GIS Digital field data capture trials d GIS an d e s a b web ce n e i c s Geo dex n I a t a D Borehole Geology database

SIGMA - what will it deliver? Resources Training courses Procedures Data Intranet-based best practice guidance Acquire relevant external data Add data to corporate databases Assemble data into project workspace Test existing model against new data Plan survey & desk revision to update model Multi-discip. survey and/or desk revision Refine and check new model Produce and deliver new high quality output Well-equipped and skilled people and teams Tools

‘…. . puts the power of your corporate infrastructure in your hand’