GEOSCIML—A GML APPLICATION FOR GEOSCIENCE INFORMATION INTERCHANGE

The IUGS CGI Data Model collaboration working group has developed an XML-based GML (geography markup language) application for the interchange of geoscience information. The schema for this application is based on the NADM C1 model for geoscience concepts such as geologic unit, geologic structure, and Earth material, uses GML constructs for representation of geometry and the application framework (GML feature model), uses the eXploration and Mining Markup Language (XMML) for bore hole information, and the proposed Open GIS consortium (OGC) Observation and Measurement model for observational data. This standards-based data format provides a framework for application-neutral encoding of geoscience thematic data and related spatial data that is intended for use in publishing or interchanging data between organizations using different database implementations and software/systems environments, and provides a mechanism to implement web services for geoscience information. Full realization of data interoperability at the semantic level will require development of controlled vocabulary resources for specifying actual content. A Testbed is under development to demonstrate simple interoperability using web map and feature services (WMS, WFS) between from at least 8 geological surveys sited across the globe stretching from Australia to Europe to North America.