Systems geology

Systems geology emphasizes the nature of geology as a system – that is, as a set of interacting parts that function as a whole. The systems approach involves study of the linkages or interfaces between the component objects and processes at all levels of detail in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the solid Earth. A long-term objective is to provide computational support throughout the cycles of investigation, integrating observation and experiment with modeling and theory, each reinforcing the other. The overall complexity suggests that systems geology must be based on the wider emerging cyberinfrastructure, and should aim to harmonize geological information with Earth system science within the context of the e-science vision of a comprehensive global knowledge system (see Linked Data, Semantic Web). A systems framework could support a store of knowledge (in a network structure analogous to human memory) from which information could be linked and communicated in many ways, as proposed by Vannevar Bush in 1945. This would have benefits on evaluation and publication procedures.

Systems geology can be seen as an integral part of the science of earth systems, "encompassing all components of the Earth system – air, life, rock and water – to gain a new and more comprehensive understanding of the world as we know it". Much of the background was set out in Solid-Earth Science and Society in 1993. Since then, considerable progress has resulted from large investments in geoinformatics by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the European Commission (EC), much of it implemented on their high-level computing networks. The concepts of Earth Systems are reflected in the teaching of geology. Nevertheless, geology has unique aspects that justify consideration of systems geology as a distinct subsystem. These include the availability of detailed world-wide geological mapping and stratigraphical classification, and the rapidly growing understanding of Earth history in terms of past configurations of geological objects and processes.

Cornell University's Geoscience Information System Project started in 1995. ‘Building the Digital Earth’ aims to develop a comprehensive geoscience information system, which they see as one of the most important steps that geoscientists could undertake in response to new technological advancements. Their ambition is to place all information and knowledge, along with access, modeling, and visualization tools, ‘under the finger tips of a user’. This objective is echoed in Keller and Baru (2011) where the Earth is considered as a single system (pages 3, 12, 15, 37), and progress is recorded in moving towards the geoinformatics vision set out in 2007: to facilitate ‘a future in which someone can sit at a terminal and have easy access to vast stores of data of almost any kind, with the easy ability to visualize, analyze and model those data.’ (p15). Because the treatment of earth systems and geology has repercussions in other fields, there is a need for them to share a wider-ranging cyberinfrastructure (p3, chapters 3, 4).

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