During the last 15 years the demand for digital geological maps in vector format has risen steadily. Therefore in many places, the existing raster data was converted into vector data and new data was generated directly in vector format. Because an official standard description for geological vector data was lacking until now, the data sets are inconsistently structured and attributed. Like this, different data sets can be only be merged with difficulty and a great amount of time. The geology data model will provide a solution for this.

Objectives of the geology data model

• to specify a harmonized structure for geological data
• to describe all relevant geological object types, their properties (attributes) and relationship with default values

In this way, extensive GIS analyses will be made possible for the users

Structure of the geology data model

The geological objects are organized into eight themes:

• Rock Bodies
• Geomorphology
• Tectonics
• Measurements Spatial Orientation
• Local Additional Information
• Parameter and Modelling
• Anthropogenic Features
• Hydrogeology

Each theme is subdivided into separate classes.

Basis for homogeneously structured geological vector data

The geology data model (object catalog and descriptions in UML, XML and INTERLIS) will in future form the basis for homogeneously structured geological vector data in Switzerland. It takes on a central role in the capture of geological data (e.g., according to the method “Sion” and using the software “Toolmap”). Therefore, the vector data of the Swiss Geological Survey (GeoCover) will in future also be described by this model.