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Projects

Projects

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In addition to our ongoing mapping and database activities, we have a number of projects to produce special map sheets, guide books, trial products, and to participate in external projects with national and international colleagues.

3D Geological Models

The Geological Mapping Programme manages the 3D viewer​. The viewer currently displays eleven geological models that were created directly by GSI or in collaboration with iCRAG. This viewer is being maintained and updated as new models are produced from GSI projects or collaborations.







 

Depth to Bedrock Map

​We are working on a national depth to bedrock map of the onshore area using borehole and outcrop data.  The objective of this project is to compile the depth to bedrock data available from various internal databases, and use a geology modelling software to create a contoured map.

 

Quaternary Map of Ireland (joint project with GSNI)

​This All-Ireland Quaternary geology map at 1:500,000 scale is an amalgamation of Quaternary maps from Ireland and Northern Ireland. Soil geochemistry and radiometric data from the Tellus and Tellus Border projects were used to subdivide undifferentiated till deposits in Northern Ireland to match the till types mapped in Ireland.  Merging data sets was achieved by statistical distribution matching. Data from the two surveys and the relevant literature were compiled, homogenized and simplified to produce a seamless data set comprising sixteen sediment types, four geomorphological features and the location of key sites with dated sediments.

Link to publication

Physiographic Units Map

Physiographic maps are cartographic representations of the broad-scale physical landscape of a region. They delineate physical regions showing internal uniformity with respect to one or more environmental attributes that can be clearly differentiated from neighbouring regions. They are valuable for regional land-use planning, and in studies of the influence of physical landscape on the ecological environment.  This map is being produced in support of the actions to be implemented in National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015 – 2025. 
Ireland had an intricate bedrock geological history that produced a complex pre-glacial landscape. The modification of this landscape by the subsequent Quaternary glaciations yielded a multifaceted physiography. The complexity of the current landscape required an approach based the visual analysis of a range of digital topographic and geological datasets and expert judgement to produce the nationwide physiographic units map.​

Link to viewer and data-package

Carboniferous Stratigraphy of northwest Ireland

​The Carboniferous rocks of the northwest of Ireland are not well exposed, and as a result we have only a general idea of their stratigraphy and distribution. We are working with new Tellus airborne geophysical data and new borehole drilling to improve our knowledge of the stratigraphy and subdivide areas of undifferentiated limestone on our maps. This process is occurring in parallel with data compilation in our 1:50,000 mapping series. ​

Link to the 1:50,000 mapping series

Borehole Database - EPOS

We are working to complete and synchronise our borehole and core store holdings databases.  This will be a contribution to EPOS WP15 Geology. A more detailed description​ of this project is available under our Research heading.

Read more (redirect to Research)

IQUAME

We are contributing to the International Quaternary Map of Europe (IQUAME 2500). The aim of IQUAME 2500 is to create a digital map of Europe's Quaternary geology; in particular to develop consistency in cross-border mapping. The project is applying the EC INSPIRE Directive for digital mapping standards and is creating new approaches for representing features such as geomorphology and glacio​genic elements. The map includes: geological boundaries and classifications of Quaternary rocks, extent and boundaries of permafrost, last glacial maximum, genetic descriptions of the rocks, faults, key localities (geologically and paleontologically significant sites, anthropological sites, impact craters, etc.) and off-shore geology. Ultimately, the IQUAME project will summarise the current status quo of European Quaternary geological research in a digital dataset. ​

IQUAME website

HotLime

The Geological Mapping Programme is actively involved in the GeoERA HotLime project to map and assess geothermal plays in deep carbonate rocks.

Read more

Bedrock Geology of the UK and Ireland

​We collaborated with our colleagues in the British Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland to publish a summary map for Britain and Ireland, derived from our respective national maps.  The map is intended primarily as a teaching resource and geological summary for international projects.

Link to publication

Dingle Peninsula field guide

​In collaboration with Drs Ken Higgs and Brian Williams, we produced a revised and expanded field guide book, to replace our popular guide by Ralph Horne.  The revised version has a broader and more detailed coverage and is be accompanied by a new 1:50,000 bedrock geology special sheet of the peninsula.

Link to publication

Rosguill Special Sheet, 1:12,000 bedrock

​​We have teamed up with Prof Bernard Anderson to produce a special sheet (1:12,000) of his previously unpublished detailed bedrock mapping of Rosguill Peninsula, Donegal.

Link to publication

Coastal Vulnerability Index Mapping

Geological Survey Ireland is undertaking a new coastal vulnerability mapping initiative. Maps produced in this project will provide an insight into the relative susceptibility of the Irish coast to adverse impacts of sea-level rise through the use of a Coastal Vulnerability Index.

Read More (redirect to Marine Programme)