Exploiting geoscience collections : from paper collections to 3D models [abstract]

Abstract

Digitising the borehole records and geological maps held and created by BGS has enabled us to produce a model of the thickness of superficial deposits for England, Scotland and Wales. This model has subsequently helped geoscientists to review and improve interpretations of the ground, to improve our understanding of natural and mining-related ground movements and the movement of water through the geology. BGS holds around 1.2 million borehole records that have been collected and collated from donations over many decades, and continue to be deposited at BGS. During 2001 and 2002 onshore borehole records held by BGS were scanned and then linked to the onshore borehole index, to create a secure digital archive. The borehole index is part of an Oracle database that holds both index-level and down-borehole geological information. At the same time the first GB-wide digital geological map at 1:50 000 scale was created, through digitising all maps sheets. Increasingly geologists have been using surface and 3D models of the geology to help them better understand and represent the relationships between strata. Some excellent models had been developed for specific sites but only very small scale hard-rock countrywide models existed; 1:1M scale. A requirement for a model of superficial thickness deposits was identified and the potential to use the scanned borehole records was recognised. Down-borehole data was not available for the whole country and capturing all information was recognised as a huge task. However databasing rockhead levels was feasible and subsequently carried out. Rockhead was combined with the extents of mapped superficial deposits to create a model of its thickness. As new borehole records and improvements to mapped geology come in to BGS, so this model is updated and our understanding of geology in 3D improved