J.L. Laxton

Big Data Analytics for Earth Sciences: the EarthServer approach

Big Data Analytics is an emerging field since massive storage and computing capabilities have been made available by advanced e-infrastructures. Earth and Environmental sciences are likely to benefit from Big Data Analytics techniques supporting the processing of the large number of Earth Observation datasets currently acquired and generated through observations and simulations. However, Earth Science data and applications present specificities in terms of relevance of the geospatial information, wide heterogeneity of data models and formats, and complexity of processing. Therefore, Big Earth Data Analytics requires specifically tailored techniques and tools. The EarthServer Big Earth Data Analytics engine offers a solution for coverage-type datasets, built around a high performance array database technology, and the adoption and enhancement of standards for service interaction (OGC WCS and WCPS). The EarthServer solution, led by the collection of requirements from scientific communities and international initiatives, provides a holistic approach that ranges from query languages and scalability up to mobile access and visualization. The result is demonstrated and validated through the development of lighthouse applications in the Marine, Geology, Atmospheric, Planetary and Cryospheric science domains.

Semantics, ontologies and eScience for the geosciences

Semantics, ontologies and eScience are key areas of research that aim to deal with the growing volume, number of sources and heterogeneity of geoscience data, information and knowledge. Following a workshop held at the eScience Institute in Edinburgh on the 7-9th of March 2008, this paper discusses some of the significant research topics and challenges for enhancing geospatial computing using semantic and grid technologies.

The design and implementation of a spatial database for the production of geological maps

Abstract The British Geological Survey (BGS) has embarked on a program of digitization of its survey-scale maps. Objectives include linking the digital map data with existing relational database tables containing spatial information, structuring composite spatial and aspatial queries against these linked data sets to produce a wide range of derivative maps, and improving the cartographic quality of the standard geological maps. The geological map is transformed into a geological spatial database, and requires implementation within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. The first step in implementation was the construction of a logical model of the geological information shown on the map. The entities identified in the logical model were implemented either entirely within the relational database, entirely within the cartographic file structure, or as full GIS features comprising graphic elements linked to a relational database table of attributes. Graphic elements were digitized within a CAD environment using a graphic data structure that allowed both subsequent loading to the GIS feature structure, and the automatic population of frequently occurring attribute values. Standard and derivative geological maps are produced using software which enables sophisticated output cartography to be attached to graphic elements according to their database attributes. This process separates the cartography used when digitizing the data from that of an output map.

Geological applications using geospatial standards – an example from OneGeology-Europe and GeoSciML

Abstract The Geoscience Markup Language (GeoSciML) has been developed to enable the interchange of geoscience information, principally that portrayed on geological maps as well as boreholes. A GeoSciML testbed was developed both to test the implementation of the data model and its application in web services. The OneGeology-Europe project aims to use the GeoSciML data model, and build on the experience of the GeoSciML testbed, in implementing a geoportal for a harmonised geological map of Europe at 1:1 million scale. This involves the integration of web services from 20 participating organisations. An important objective of OneGeology-Europe is to contribute to Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE), both through the development of a geological data specification and the use of the INSPIRE technical architecture. GeoSciML and the OneGeology-Europe project are also steps towards incorporating geoscience data into a Digital Earth. Both the development of GeoSciML and the implementation of web services for GeoSciML and OneGeology-Europe, have followed a standards-based methodology. The technical architecture comprises a geoportal providing access to a Catalogue Service for the Web for metadata describing both the data and services available. OneGeology-Europe will provide both Web Map Services view and Web Feature Services download services, which aim to be compliant with the INSPIRE implementing rules.

Steps toward Grid-based geological survey: Suggestions for a systems framework of models, ontologies, and workflows

Consideration of an explicit systems framework for geological survey information is timely, to assist in developing and maintaining an integrated and coherent view of regional geoscience in a Grid-based context. A framework based on a solid Earth systems model is tentatively proposed in this paper. The developing advanced infrastructure of information and communications technology, the so-called Grid, points to more flexible global communication that will help to overcome artificial boundaries and divergence of concepts from separate places and scientific disciplines. Interoperability of information (the ability to amalgamate and work with concepts, terms or models from various sources, and thereby share and reuse information) will be a key to the Grid’s success. Geological surveys can respond to the opportunity by changing their emphasis, away from publishing printed maps and related documents, towards maintaining a geoscience knowledge system from which scientific workflows can provide flexible services that match requirements specified by the user. The changing system should fit with, and build upon, existing patterns of human thought and the published record; include interpretation as an essential part of the conceptual building blocks that support geologists as they abstract, codify and reason, link observation to explanation, and predict what they have not yet observed; support improved representations of the geology; and encourage the use of generic concepts and ontologies, following international standards where appropriate.

Geological map fusion: OneGeology-Europe and INSPIRE

Abstract Geological maps can be seen as a type of model and can be implemented in digital systems as geological spatial databases. In this context, geological map fusion can be implemented at different levels: harmonization of the conceptual data model describing the map objects; the use of shared concepts to describe properties in the model to give semantic harmonization; and ensuring geometric consistency. GeoSciML has been developed as an interchange language for geosciences information, derived from a common conceptual data model, along with common vocabularies of concepts to populate the object properties. GeoSciML and the vocabularies were used in the OneGeology-Europe project where a 1:1 million scale geological map of Europe was delivered using disseminated web services from 20 different data providers. The lessons learnt from the OneGeology-Europe project informed the development of the INSPIRE Geology Data Specification. The INSPIRE data specification is used to define what information must be made available through web services under the INSPIRE legislation, so has to be kept simple. The INSPIRE data model can be extended with GeoSciML and will provide a basis for geological map fusion.