EuroGeoSurveys

EuroGeoSurveys is the Association of the European Geological surveys (33 members with a total of over 20,000 persons active in all the domains of application of geosciences. European Geological Surveys have, in average, over 100 years of experience in Earth Observation and Thematic Spatial Data acquisition, archival, processing and dissemination. Geological Surveys have an intimate knowledge of many data themes or sub-themes listed in the Annexes I (Aquifers) and III of the Draft INSPIRE Directive. For several data sub-themes our members are the national or regional data repositories and some have a legal mandate to acquire data and maintain the related information systems. The detailed responsibilities and activities vary from State to State. The objective of the EGS SDIC is to work on issues specifically related to geoscientific data in relation with INSPIRE (issues are: end-user data requirements, structure and contents of the Draft Directive Annexes 1 to 3, interoperability and harmonisation of regional/ national datasets -including data modeling, reference systems, metadata and data validation- and encoding systems). EuroGeoSurveys will provide its wide experience in relation with geoscientific data (geology, tectonics, soils, aquifers, energy and mineral resources, natural hazards, land-use planning) acquisition, cataloguing, archival, processing and dissemination as well as experience in regional/ national data interoperability and harmonisation. The EuroGeoSurveys missions are: a) Virtual European Geological Survey To assist the European Union to obtain joined-up scientific and technical advice from the Geological Surveys of the Member States and Accession Countries. b) Virtual Data Centre To provide the policy makers at EU, national, regional or local levels; business; industry; insurance companies; research; academia; NGOs and the public with easy accessible, interoperable, quality controlled geoscience data at a range of resolutions across the whole of Europe. c) Virtual Center of Excellence To combine the best of geo-expertise in Europe to further develop know-how and technology in the field of natural resources, natural and man-made hazards and the terrestrial and marine environment. d) Virtual Geoscience Permanent Education Network To improve the awareness of the public, the education sector, industry, central and local government and agencies of the relevance of geoscience and the opportunities offered by it. EuroGeoSurveys pursues the following objectives: a) To jointly address European issues of common interest; b) To promote the contribution of geosciences to European Union affairs and action programs; c) To assist the European Union to obtain scientific and technical advice from the members of the Association; d) To provide a permanent network between the Geological Surveys and a common, but not unique, gateway to each of the Surveys and their national networks.