Overview

A Scenario for Systems Geology E-scientists have set out a compelling vision of a more coherent and comprehensive representation of knowledge, potentially incorporating the geologists' holistic view of the Earth. This scenario addresses the question: How can geoscientists best react to this opportunity? The scenario describes the background of an emerging geoscience knowledge system and possible radical transformation of the geological map. It discusses concepts and methods for bringing geological information into a whole Earth knowledge 'system' (set of interacting parts that function as a whole), appropriately rebased on a cyberinfrastructure of computing, communication and information technologies. It suggests an outcome that seems feasible now, and is open to change as we learn more: a coordinated, global system, where many familiar boundaries become irrelevant, where geologists share their knowledge more widely and efficiently, expressed more rigorously, precisely and comprehensively. Such a system could involve a set of interoperable geological models and databases, integrated with mutually reinforcing techniques from geoinformatics, harmonised with legacy systems, human thought processes and geological thinking, and designed to respond flexibly to user needs. We hope that by exposing evolving ideas to discussion and criticism, uncertainties may be revealed and investigated, benefits and hazards may be identified, pointers for future development and collaboration suggested, and the concepts modified and improved. Drawn from a wide range of sources, this book will be of interest to professional geologists, specialists in related fields such as geography or ecology, and those charged with developing the cyberinfrastructure for environmental sciences and their applications. It is designed for reading, browsing or reference. It is available as a free pdf download at www.bgs.ac.uk/systemsgeology, as a low-cost paperback in black and white or in the full colour edition, and as a reflowable version for mobile devices.

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After four years of well-site work and regional subsurface mapping in Canada, Vic Loudon undertook three years of study for a PhD, exploring computer methods while mapping sedimentary and structural geology in Banffshire, Scotland. Six years of post-doctoral research on geological computer applications followed, at Northwestern University (Illinois), Reading University (England), and the Kansas Geological Survey. He moved to London in 1969 on being appointed by the British Geological Survey to initiate and to lead their Computer Unit. This highly active group was subsumed into the NERC Computer Service in 1978. He transferred to Edinburgh to continue research on spatial models and their potential for a more integrated computer representation of geology. After retirement he continued work on these topics as a BGS Honorary Research Associate. A founder member and first treasurer of the International Association of Mathematical Geologists, he has contributed many papers on computer applications. He wrote two earlier books: Loudon, T.V., 1979. Computer methods in geology, Academic Press (London) ISBN: 0-12-456950-1 (Russian translation 1981). Loudon, T.V., 2000. Geoscience after IT: a view of the present and future impact of information technology on geoscience. Elsevier, Oxford. 142 pp. Also available as Computers & Geosciences, Special Issue, 26 (3A), A1-A142 http: //nora.nerc.ac.uk/2395/ to http: //nora.nerc.ac.uk/2411/

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