OneGeology - SHARING DATA AND KNOW HOW GLOBALLY
Rich geoscience data does exist in the disparate repositories of nations, but when they are available (and in many instances in is exceptionally difficult to discover), then they exist in different analogue and digital formats and via different services, with different access conditions. The capability to develop and implement geoscience information management, analysis and delivery systems varies greatly across the institutions and nations of the world too.
OneGeology is a global initiative to improve the accessibility of one fundamental geoscience dataset - geological map data. It is improving the interoperability (“share-ability”) of that data and last, but certainly not least, the transfer and exchange of know-how and experience to achieve these things through state-of-the-art web services.
Since its inception in 2006 OneGeology has been hugely successful and 116 nations are now participating, with more than 45 of those nations serving more than 200 geological datasets to a global and dynamic web map portal. To some such work may not seem too scientifically ambitious and the achievements none too ground-breaking. However, to draw that conclusion would be to fail to comprehend the technical, logistical, cultural and political challenges of a project that attempts deployment internationally, and especially one that seeks to build capacity in the developing world.
Sharing, applying and disseminating science knowledge will be crucial to the future success of geoscience. Without improved internet access to scientific data and the improved interoperability of that data, life in a digital world will be severely limiting for geoscientists and the users of their science. OneGeology is a project which has relevance beyond geoscience because the sharing of data and know-how concept at its core is central to the future of multi-disciplinary science globally.