T38 Geology across Geographic Boundaries: Identifying Challenges and Opportunities Related to the Creation of a Digital Geologic Map of the United States by the End of This Decade

Sunday, 9 October 2022
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
407

HIERARCHICAL CLASSIFICATION OF MAP UNITS USING THE SEAMLESS INTEGRATED GEOLOGIC MAPPING (SIGMA) EXTENSION TO THE GEOLOGIC MAP SCHEMA (GEMS) TO SUPPORT DYNAMIC ASSEMBLY AND REVISION OF LARGE GEOLOGIC MAP DATABASES (PART 1)

Paper number: T38-14
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 4:40 PM – 4:55 PM

Authors

  • Kenzie Turner Presenting Author
    Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Denver, CO
  • Jeremiah Workman
    Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Denver, CO

Abstract

The process of managing the stratigraphic framework for a national geologic map database is more complex than for a traditional quadrangle-based geologic map. To provide timely release of map data, the database needs to be assembled and published incrementally. The number of map units is constantly changing in this dynamic environment, in stark contrast to typical workflows where a map and its stratigraphic framework consist of a fixed number of map units and are published as a single, stand-alone product. Simplified stratigraphies, like generic age-lithology classification, for example, have been used for small-scale (national) maps. This simplified stratigraphy would likely require fewer modifications throughout construction of a national geologic map; however, application of the geologic data is limited because map units are disassociated from previous mapping and research that largely utilize formation-level nomenclature. To ensure usability of a national map database, formation-level stratigraphy is necessary. These factors result in an extremely large and constantly changing stratigraphy. The Geologic Map Schema (GeMS) provides some schematic tools for representing a stratigraphic framework but supporting a constantly changing stratigraphy is beyond its intended purpose. The Seamless Integrated Geologic Mapping (SIGMa) extension to GeMS supports a dynamic database stratigraphy through a structured hierarchical map unit organization. The hierarchy is based on time-restricted geologic provinces that represent depositional, tectonic, and magmatic settings and processes related to the genesis of map units. Mapped features are the spatial component, and stratigraphic relationships and geochronology define the temporal components of the geologic provinces. Advantages to this hierarchical structure include: (1) expandability; (2) geologically meaningful organization incorporates the hierarchical nature of crustal-scale geologic processes; (3) the ability to maintain stratigraphy independent of a single project thereby supporting multiple map scales; (4) map units are placed in a regional- to continental-scale geologic context; and (5) local, real-world stratigraphies are represented as consecutive table records improving end-user comprehension.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 54, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-379327

© Copyright 2022 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.