The GeoMAP dataset of Antarctic rock exposures

• Main Authors: Cox, SC, Smith-Lyttle, B, Siddoway, C, Capponi, G, Elvevold, S, Burton-Johnson, A, Halpin, J, Morin, P, Elliot, D, Geomap Action Group, A
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: . 2018
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Geology; Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology; Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://www.polar2018.org/; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/131208

The SCAR GeoMap action group has been building a detailed digital geological dataset of Antarctica. We havebeen capturing existing geological map data, refining its spatial reliability, improving representation of glacialsequences and geomorphology. The initiative is aimed towards continent-wide perspectives and for crossdisciplineuse, our international team is collaboratively classifying and describing around 72,000 distinct areasthat cover 51,000 km 2 . The dataset will describe 'known geology' of rock exposures rather than 'interpreted'sub-ice features. Glacial deposits are an important focus for their potential to contain records of icefluctuations of relevance to climate change. Here we present background on:(1) Completion, or very near-completion, of the first version of a continent-wide dataset. All rock outcrops willhave geological attributes assigned to them in GeoSciML suitable for use at 1:250,000 (or more-regional) scale.(2) The large number of hard-copy geological maps and data sources, which range in scale and quality.(3) Development of local legends, which highlight geological variation across the region.(4) Progress towards a unified classification scheme.(5) Bibliographic links referencing authors of key original work.(6) Potential for the dataset to provide fresh perspectives, for example, through combined geological legendsand interrogation of continent-wide time-space plots.