Developing a standard geologic data model to incorporate 3-D information

When preparing a geologic map, whether in analog or digital format, the author manages the basic information and interpretations within some organizational framework. This framework can be both scientific (e.g., a set of guiding principles for the regional stratigraphy) and physical (e.g., putting the information into field notebooks, spreadsheets, databases, or a GIS). Commonly, geologists are not consciously aware of this framework – they just use it. This is especially true in GIS, where users (whether geologist-authors or GIS professionals) traditionally have either used the data structure, or data model, provided by the software (e.g., ArcInfo) or have modified it slightly according to project or agency needs. As a result, there has evolved a wide variety of data models. Because digital data offers vast potential for sharing, integration, and reinterpretation of information, many geologists have concluded that some standardization would be beneficial. Development of standard science language (e.g., to describe rock lithologies) and/or a strategy for correlating among local or regional science languages has become essential.