OneGeology

In March 2007, the British Geological Survey hosted a kick-off event for perhaps the most ambitious mapping project yet.

Over the next two years, geologists will be putting together the details of a global project which will ultimately see each nation providing data on the Internet about the rocks from their territory, effectively putting together the biggest jigsaw puzzle ever.

Known as OneGeology, the project involves leading scientists from national Geological Surveys in more than 55 countries and is supported by UNESCO and six other global umbrella bodies.

The project is creating dynamic geological map data across the surface of the Earth which will then be converted to a new international standard: a geological exchange language known as GeoSciML. Greater use of this language will allow geological data to be shared and integrated across the planet. It will also transfer valuable know-how to the developing world, thereby shortening the digital learning curve.

All geologists know well that geology and rocks don't respect man-made political frontiers', comments Ian Jackson, who is leading the project for the British Geological Survey. 'Nor do the environmental problems and natural resources that go with them. With our changing climate, there is even more urgent need for good quality and more complete data about our environment to be available for those who need it. By contributing to OneGeology, each nation can do something locally to make a huge difference globally.

OneGeology is a contribution to the International Year of Planet Earth.

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