Geology focuses on understanding the Earth's structure, composition, and the dynamic processes shaping it. This discipline addresses key environmental and societal challenges, including the sustainable management of georesources and the assessment of geological hazards. As technological advancements drive rapid progress in geology, researchers face the challenge of organising and utilising extensive datasets effectively.

Infrastructure and Collaborative Framework
In EPOS, the Thematic Core Service Geological Information and Modeling (TCS GIM) consolidates data and tools produced by the international geological community, with significant contributions from EuroGeoSurveys. This infrastructure includes shared datasets on geological maps, boreholes, 3D geological models, and mineral resources. These resources are made accessible through the EPOS multidisciplinary platform, ensuring interoperability and collaboration among stakeholders.

Applications and Societal Impact
Geological information and modeling aids in sustainable resource management, natural hazard mitigation, and infrastructure development. By understanding subsurface geology, scientists can support decisions on urban planning, environmental protection, and energy resource extraction. These insights also benefit industries, local governments, and state agencies, fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders.

Tools and Platforms
The EPOS platform integrates datasets like borehole information and geological maps, enabling seamless access for researchers and professionals. Users can also share their data to enhance the visibility and impact of their work. Tools on the platform facilitate interdisciplinary research by linking geological data with information from other fields, such as seismology and anthropogenic hazards. Advanced functionalities on the datasets exposed by TCS GIM are available on the main service provider portal European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI) [web link = https://www.europe-geology.eu].

Future Goals and Aspirations
The TCS Geological Information and Modeling aims to strengthen collaboration within the geological community, i.e. geological surveys and research centres, and expand its data resources to fill gaps in both geographic and thematic coverage. By improving interoperability and promoting data sharing, the TCS GIM seeks to support informed decision-making and foster innovation in Earth science research.

The Thematic Core Service Geological Information and Modeling aims at providing geological data and services to EPOS. The standardised services offered by this TCS build from the existing data infrastructure EGDI.

EGDI is EuroGeoSurveys’ European Geological Data Infrastructure. In EGDI, users can find geoscientific information and knowledge at European and national scales. To help the users find the relevant data the geological datasets and services are divided into geoscientific topics, such as marine geology, onshore geology, mineral resources, and many others.

In the first round, the following services are provided to EPOS:

• Surface geological maps in 1:1M showing lithology and age of the rocks.
• Borehole index information including links to visualization tool for borehole logs, associated monitoring equipment & observations, construction details, etc.
• Catalogue of 3D models: digital / numerical models, geological structure, geophysical, etc.
• Mines with information about commodities, status, etc.

The Thematic Core Service Geological Data and Modeling contributes to the EPOS Research Infrastructure multidisciplinary platform by enhancing access to FAIR data and sustainable services related to subsurface geology. Established in 2019 and chaired by the Association of Geological Surveys of Europe (EuroGeoSurveys), the consortium presently comprises nine members including various geological surveys and academic institutions across Europe. The main data service provider is the European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI). It provides standardised geological data and services. These cover diverse geoscientific topics such as marine and onshore geology and boreholes, as well as mineral resources and 3D modeling, supporting research and decision-making at European and national scales.

● Established in 2019.
● 9 member organisations from across Europe.
● Provides access to geological maps, boreholes, 3D models, and mine datasets.

LEADERSHIP

● Chair:
o Julie Hollis (EuroGeoSurveys, Brussels).
● Coordinator:
o Marc Urvois (BRGM, France).

CONSORTIUM COMPOSITION

● Member Organisations:
o Czech Republic
Czech Geological Survey (CGS).
o Denmark
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS).
o Europe
Association of European geological Surveys-EuroGeoSurveys (EGS).
o France
Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières / French Geological Survey (BRGM).
o Ireland
Geological Survey Ireland (GSI).
o Italy
Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA).
o Slovenia
Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS).
o Sweden
Uppsala University (Department of Earth Sciences).
o United Kingdom
British Geological Survey (BGS).

CONTACT

● Leadership:
o Julie Hollis (Chair) julie.hollis@eurogeosurveys.org.
o Marc Urvois (Coordinator) m.urvois@brgm.fr.

The consortium operates under a consortium board. The coordinator represents TCS GIM in the EPOS Service Coordination Committee. Both the coordinator and the consortium chair maintain a communication channel with the EPOS ERIC Executive Office. Decision-making involves contributions from all consortium member organisations to ensure the efficient development and delivery of geological datasets and services provided by the EGDI community portal. TCS GIM is also represented in several EPOS committees, namely Metadata and Vocabularies, Data Policy, Ethics, Communication and Outreach, Training.