Geoinformatics

Geological scientists use geoinformatics tools to create 3D maps of not only Earth's surface but also, as in the case of astrogeology, the surface of other planets like Mars.

Geoinformatics is a multidisciplinary field of science that uses technologies supporting the processes of acquiring, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data.^[1]

The definition of the term "geoinformatics" varies greatly, however. For example, author G. Randy Keller, focusing on the internals of our planet, explained geoinformatics as the use of "data, software tools, and computational infrastructure ... to facilitate studies of the structure, dynamics, and evolution of the solid Earth through time, as well as the processes that act upon it and within it from the near surface to the core."^[2] Other definitions of geoinformatics dutifully extend its scope to the surface of the planet, causing more confusion as terms like "geomatics," "geographical information system," and "computational geography" are brought to the discussion from different regions around the world and are often used synonymously.^[3]^[4]^[5] Senior lecturer Jiří Šíma of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen attempts to compare "geomatics" and "geoinformatics" using ISO standards^[6]:

According to ISO Standard 19122 'geomatics is a discipline concerned with the collection, distribution, storage, analysis, processing, presentation of geographic data or geographic information.' Its range is perfectly described by activities of the Geomatics Canada: establishing and maintainace [sic] of national spatial reference system, preparing, publishing and distributing of state topographical maps, aeronautical charts, aerial photographs and gazetteers, surveys on state boundaries, property surveys on federal lands, maintainance [sic] of national bases of geographic data for the development of geographical information systems.

However, as of at least 2012, there appears to be no official definition of geoinformatics in the ISO 19100 standards.^[6]^[7] One of the best definitions was published by Dietmar Grünreich, president of the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy in Frankfurt (Main): 'geoinformatics is a discipline concerned with theory of geospatial data modeling, their storage, management and processing as well as with development of geographical information systems and necessary information and communication technology.'"^[6]

Application

Geoinformatics can help tackle problems and tasks such as the following^[2]^[1]:

the modeling and use of seismic data
the construction and use of other geologically realistic 3-D models
the production of high-quality paleogeographic maps
the production of astrogeological 3D maps
the measurement of Earth's gravity field
the mitigation of hazards in volcanically active areas
the planning and management of land use
the reconstruction of architecture and archeological sites
the creation of commercial maritime routes
the management of natural resources

Informatics

Scientists practicing in the earth sciences increasingly rely on digital spatial data acquired and visualized from remotely sensed images analyzed by geographical information systems (GIS). Other informatics tools include geospatial analysis and modeling software, geospatial databases, and wired and wireless networking technologies. As these types of systems and tools have become more readily available, a larger global initiative to use them for greater data integration and sharing has emerged.^[8] GEON, for example, was an open collaborative project for creating infrastructure for collecting 3- and 4D geospatial data.^[9] OneGeology is another global informatics initiative attempting to compile digital geological map data for all to use.^[8]