Kingsley Dunham Centre Keyworth Nottingham NG12 5GG Tel SIGMA System for Integrated Geoscience MApping Andy Howard

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

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

Programme outputs New digital & printed products Products from UK DigMap 50k & 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 50k geological sheets (!!)

‘Joined-up surveying’ - a modelling process Geological surveys Conceptual 3D model Geological map Digital databases & 3D 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? DIGITAL & ANALOGUE OUTPUTS Digital Analogue 1. Analogue Digital 3. Digital Analogue Inefficiency and incompatibility 2.

‘Mapping’ the geology

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

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

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

Tools and data Progress so far Geologists spatial data capture interface Corporate Data model Digital field data capture trials Digital map production & DigMap UK Project based 3D models and GIS GIS and web-based Geoscience Data Index Borehole Geology database

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

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