Digital capture of geological field data : bridging the gap between a mapping heritage and the integrated dissemination of geoscience information

The introduction of easy to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the late 1980s has gradually influenced the methods by which field-based earth scientists acquire, maintain, analyze and disseminate their knowledge via maps and associated spatial datasets. While in the past the emphasis in data handling was on map and report production, the focus has now shifted toward using field-collected spatial datasets directly in various kinds of GIS environments. This has resulted in ongoing information technology (IT) research, on approaches to adapting field survey methods toward collecting and delivering relevant and properly structured thematic geological information. Consumers of geoscience information are no longer content with traditional maps and reports, and so this research also includes effective modes of communication of these newly relevant datasets. Although the outcome of the theoretical and conceptual aspects of this ongoing research is not yet certain, at a pragmatic level many different methods for digital field data collection have been attempted over the last decade. The results of these experiments provide feedback, and to some extent have steered the theoretic debate by providing a clear and tested implementation perspective.

Herein, we review the implementation and testing aspects of field data collection by discussing: (1) the various avenues field-based earth scientists have taken since the eighties to acquire field data for its use in GIS environments, (2) the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods, (3) the potential of these methods for various GIS analytical applications, and (4) the developments that can be expected in the near future. Although the ideal field knowledge acquisition system that fully integrates effective and natural fieldwork procedures with explicit information structures needed for GIS use has yet to be developed, the approaches implemented today are getting close to a collection of front-end GIS tools for data acquisition and mapping that optimally serves subsequent map compilation, interpretation, spatial analysis and dissemination of geoscience datasets in office environments and across the Internet.