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Database design |
British Geological Survey, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
The primary purpose of the traditional geological map is to convey the map maker’s understanding of the geology of an area to the user of the map. A second, and less well understood role is as the de facto repository for much of the recorded geological data of an area. With the advent of digital geological map production, geographic information systems and digital geological databases, these traditional roles are changing. The data from which a map is constructed can reside in geological databases and the maps produced from these databases can concentrate on conveying information to the map user.
The design and construction of the digital geological databases used to store the information collected by geologists requires a detailed understanding of the elements of a geological map. This paper attempts to describe those elements and discusses some of the problems caused by the conventions used on geological maps.
