Metadata and data
The Members organisations of EuroGeoSurveys are the key metadata and spatial data/ information providers not only on the subsurface of their individual countries, but also at the European scale and for developing countries. This page provides access to the key existing freely accessible metadata bases, spatial databases and information of European scale or relevant to the developing countries.
Scrolling down through this page you will find links to the following geoscientific spatial metadata, data and information sets.
These are produced by different EuroGeoSurveys members. EuroGeoSurveys declines any responsibility in relation with the correctness and completeness of the information. Users are informed that the use of geoscientific data may require the assistance of a competent person providing advice and knowledge adapted to the end-users specific requirements.
Available metadata and spatial data sets:
- EU-SEASED metadata on seabed samples from the ocean basins and the European continental waters, as well as on seismic lines from the European seas, held in the European Institutions;
- Geological Map of Europe in 1:5 000 000 scale;
- Hydrogeological Map of Europe in 1:1 500 000 scale;
- Geochemical Atlas of Europe;
- GIS Central Europe, providing geological and environmental geographic information on the mineral resources deposits in Central and South-Eastern Europe;
- ACP mining database on the mineral deposits of 79 countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific regions;
- The SIGAfrique Information System on Africa's geology, mineral and groundwater resources.
EU-Seased
Via a geographical navigation interface you will gain free access to metadata on over 300,000 seabed (core) and seabed sediment samples as well as to metadata on marine seismic profiles. The metadata points to samples and data held in a wide range of participating European organisations. To access click here or on the icon
Geological Map of Europe in 1:5 000 000 scale
The 1:5 Million International Geological Map of Europe and Adjacent Areas (IGME 5000), based on a Pan-European data model is being managed and implemented by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) under the aegis of the CGMW (Commission of the Geological Map of the World). The project involves over 40 European and adjacent countries and the final area covered reaches from the Caspian Sea in the east, to the Mid-Ocean Ridge in the west, and from the Spitzbergen (Svalbard) islands to the north up to the southern shore of the Mediterranean. This is the first ever-digital pan European harmonised geological spatial data set. To access click here or on the icon
Hydrogeological Map of Europe
It comprises 27 hydrogeological map sheets, in raster format, with explanatory notes, covering the whole European continent and parts of the Near East, compiled by national hydrogeologists and experts in related sciences of the countries concerned under the auspices of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), the Commission on the Hydrogeological Maps (COHYM). The project is supported by the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW).
The scientific editorial work is supported financially by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Raw Materials (BGR) and by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These organizations are responsible for the cartography, printing and publication of the map sheets and explanatory notes.
The series of hydrogeological maps seeks to represent the hydrogeological setting of Europe as a whole without regard to political boundaries. Together with the information presented in the accompanying explanatory notes, the map can be used for scientific purposes, for large-scale regional planning and as a basis for detailed hydrogeological mapping. To access click here or on the icon
Geochemical Atlas of Europe
Prepared by the EuroGeoSurveys Member Organisations, it provides the first-ever pan-European low-resolution data and information on the contents of 65 different elements in soils, stream sediments and surface water.
The geochemistry of soils and waters, reflecting the local geological conditions such as the nature of the underlying geological formations and the local weathering, erosion and sedimentation processes, has considerable importance for public health. The deficit or excess of trace elements in soils or waters, such as arsenic, fluor, iodine, zinc or selenium all have important health implications.
Geochemistry also contributes to determine the fertility of soils and the requirements for appropriate fertilisation. Geochemical data plays also an important role in modern energy and mineral resources exploration techniques. They are also available as a hard cover book: Part 1 "Background Information, Methodology and Maps" of the Geochemical Atlas, published by the Geological Survey of Finland. To access click here or on the icon
GIS Central Europe
GIS Central Europe was designed and initiated by BRGM, the French Geological Survey , in 2000 to be a homogeneous geographic information system on Central and South-Eastern Europe an metallogeny, mineral deposits and related environmental parameters. It covers an area of 1.7 million km² and extends for some 1750 km from the West Carpathian Mountains in the west to the Gulf of Antalya (southwestern Turkey) in the east. Some 15 countries are concerned by this synthesis which covers the the Carpathian – Balkan Arc, the Dinarides – Hellenides Belt, the Rhodopean Massif and Western Anatolia.
GIS Central Europe has been conceived as a tool aimed primarily at the mining and academic sectors. For the former it will be an invaluable aid to mineral exploration and mine development, especially as it takes into consideration the environmental problems induced by the extractive industry and its downstream activities. For the latter it will aid in developing new metallogenic models, and should contribute to resolving certain R&D problems such as the relationship(s) between the mineralized belts and collision zones, subduction zones, thermal anomalies, etc., or the structural controls of the mineralization, or yet again the spatial and temporal distribution of the paleohydrothermal systems. To access click here or on the icon
ACP Mining Database
This information system in English and French is about the countries from Africa, Caribban and the Pacific Region that are partners to the EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement. Developed by BRGM, the French Geological Survey, for the Secretariat of the Group of the ACP States it provides a first ever direct access to:
- metadata on existing geological maps and other thematic maps (on mineral resources, water, soils, geophysics);
- bibliography;
- a geological map and a map of the ore deposits;
- key information on ore deposits;
- mineral production statistics aggregated at country level;
- a detailed address book on national institutions related to geology, mineral resources, water, environment.
It also includes the contact details of local representations of organisations such as the European Commission, the World Bank and others. To access click here or on the icon