Work Programs - Current Projects
GeoSciML Project
GeoSciML (from 'Geoscience Mark-up Language') is a geoscience specific XML-based GML (Geography Markup Language) application that supports interchange of geoscience information. It is being developed through the Interoperability Working Group of the Commission for the Management and Application of Geoscience Information (CGI http://www.bgs.ac.uk/cgi_web/ ), a commission of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The Working Group is comprised of geoscientists and information technology specialists from agencies in North America, Europe and Australia.
GeoSciML accommodates the short-term goal of representing geoscience information associated with geologic maps and observations, as well as being extensible in the long-term to other geoscience data. It draws from many geoscience data model efforts, and from these establishes a common suite of feature types based on geological criteria (units, structures, fossils) or artefacts of geological investigations (specimens, sections, measurements). Supporting objects are also considered (timescale, lexicons, etc), so that they can be used as classifiers for the primary objects.
A number of predecessor projects have had a strong influence on the development of GeoSciML. These include the North American Data Model for geological maps (NADM C1), the Australian National Geology Data Model (NGDM) and the (eXploration and Mining Markup Language - XMML). Australian scientists from GeoScience Victoria, Geoscience Australia and CSIRO have been heavily involved with this international development, and have represented GGIPAC at the GeoSciML meetings.
GGIPAC recognises GeoSciML's potential as a data submission, archive and distribution medium for agency exploration report and geoscience data collections. As such the Chief Government Geologists Committee has endorsed GeoSciML as the preferred exchange language for geological data within Australia. It is hoped that exploration companies also recognise its business potential for seamless information exchange.
https://www.seegrid.csiro.au/twiki/bin/view/CGIModel/GeoSciML
Getting involved with GeoSciML (CGI Interoperability Working Group) [PDF 103 Kb]
Production level interoperability services (WFS) - SEEGrid
The Geoscience Production Services initiative is a proposal to develop the infrastructure to allow open-standards-based access to Australia's Geological Survey data holdings. The objective is to address the combined issues of delivering seamless (interoperable) access to Australia's Geological Survey data holdings in order to make Australia more attractive for international investment in Exploration and Mining.
In reviewing this proposal, GGIPAC has first put forward a project proposal to develop functional requirements for the development and implementation of production level web based interoperability in the geosciences.
The proposed initiative builds upon successful implementations and demonstrations of interoperability developed within the Solid Earth and Environment Grid (SEEGrid) community of practice in projects between the CSIRO, Geoscience Australia and all State and Territory Geological Surveys.
The SEEGrid geochemistry data project demonstrated that Government geoscience organisations in Australia could provide geoscience data via the web in a seamless, interoperable manner. These projects have proved the capacity of the architecture, technologies, teams, collaborative processes and information standards to deliver seamless access to Geological Survey data holdings whilst allowing control of the data to remain with their original custodians.
The proposed initiative extends the previous work to achieve production quality services. This project will define the high level functional requirements for moving from the short-term demonstrator to a sustainable production environment and for extending web-based interoperability to other datasets. It will also investigate the availability of national and international standards to support the development of community schemas. (Source CSIRO SEEGrid proposal)
Australian Government Geoscience Data Management Benchmarking Update 2006
GGIPAC has commenced an update survey to the 2004 Australian Geoscience Data Management Benchmarking Survey. Responses will be collated in early 2007 with the expectation of releasing the results by mid 2007.
Standards for the management and dissemination of 3D geological model data
GGIPAC will initiate investigations on the management of 3D geological model data (standards, formats, metadata, visualisation) to address the likely submission of this data as part of the exploration company reporting requirements. A workshop open to all interested parties will be held at Geoscience Australia on 29 November 2006 preceding SEEGrid 3 to discuss Strategic Issues for Building, Managing and Delivering 3D models https://www.seegrid.csiro.au/twiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome
Mineral occurrence data model project
GGIPAC is to carry out a study to establish a single classification of mineral-systems for use in a mineral occurrence data model. Currently there is no (Australian) standard data model for either mineral occurrences or mineral systems.
GGIPAC believes that these data models are required for use within Australia and possibly as part of an internationally recognised model. A working group is being established and will report on its findings in mid- 2007.