209-1 The 1/5M Geological Map of the World: a step toward the future of geological mapping

Session: Deep-Time Earth and the AI Revolution

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

Geology provides an understanding of Earth and Life, and ensures energy, minerals, water, safety, and infrastructure design.  Academics fulfil research and teaching, and Survey geologists fulfil research and mapping. Geological mapping took on the form that we know beginning with the William Smith map in 1815. Multinational mapping is now done by the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW) and remaining public sector mapping is by national and subnational Geological Surveys. Digital methods and web accessibility were adopted in the 1990s and 2000s, and in the 2010s, all mapping became as queryable and seamless as possible. Geological maps have been 2D conceptual models mainly meant to inform thinking, and now a new paradigm for multi-resolution, multilayered physical property mesh is needed to support modeling, for applications in resources and hazards. It will be beneficial to place this transition into a vision to guide fulfilment of Geological Survey obligations in coming decades, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, as support for geological mapping increases due to rising capabilities and expectations. Levels of resolution are likely to be global (1:35M), continental (1:5M), national (1:500k-2M), and regional (1:24k-250k). A seamless 2D map is required for each major unconformity, perhaps surface, mineral sediment, uppermost rock and sediment not divisible from underlying rock, major unconformities such as pre- Mesozoic and Precambrian, and basement. This, and subdivision of intervening strata, will proceed as data allow, with soil mapping showing physical properties for the first meter in sediment-covered regions. Global multi-layered mapping will first be complete at global resolution, and will proceed in the long term as data availability, priority, and partnerships allow. CGMW produced a global 1:35M 2D geologic map, and now a spectacular milestone has been achieved as a global 1:5M map, due to Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) support. While layering such as basement mapping is accelerating, a vision now more vivid than ever is a rigorous 1:1M global bedrock geology, under protocols for provision and regular updating of databases from willing Surveys. Ultimately, geological mapping ranging from soil to lithosphere, including the brittle/ductile boundary, the Moho, and the LAB, will enable a regularly-updated global solid earth digital twin.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-5768

© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved.