Annual report 2008
Databanks and information

Storage, quality assurance and presentation of geological knowledge and data

Popular science about Greenland in English
It has finally been published - the long-awaited book in English about the geology of Greenland Geological History of Greenland- Four billion years of Earth evolution . The book is an English translation of the popular-science book in Danish called Grønlands geologiske udvikling - fra urtid til nutid , published by GEUS in 2005. The terrain in Greenland reflects the geological history of the Earth over 3,800 million years. This book takes us on the long journey back in time and along the coast of the world's largest island. It is a fascinating story of building and erosion of mountain chains and of roaring volcanoes and tropical coral reefs. The impressive, naked terrain in Greenland makes it possible to read this story. The book summarises the results of more than 60 years of geological surveys of onshore areas and the continental shelf; it explains the geological processes and it illustrates the economic resources lying underground in Greenland. There has been, and still is, great interest in the Danish version, which is now in its second printing, and shortly after publication GEUS received many enquiries about an English version. This is now available.

A look at Mother Earth in her nakedness
One of the main attractions of the 33rd International Geological Congress in August in Oslo was the presentation of the first digital geological map of the entire world. Geologists were able to admire our world in its nakedness; stripped of plants, soil, water and man-made structures. The map is the result of the largest ever geological mapping project, in which geologists from 102 countries worked together to create a global geological foundation for managing the world's nature and resources. Geological maps are an important tool in finding water, oil and minerals, or in averting the consequences of natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Data are available on a web portal as a dynamic geological map which is constantly being updated as new data tick in from throughout the world. The map is the result of the OneGeology project and it presents the rocks beneath our feet in the same way as GoogleTM Earth presents maps of the Earth's surface. GEUS is contributing digital geological map data from Denmark and Greenland. OneGeology is a joint contribution from the geological surveys to the UN International Year of Planet Earth 2008, which has activities running from 2007 to 2009.

Geological stories direct to the Danish public
In 2008, Danes had ample opportunity to become acquainted with the geology of Denmark and meet researchers from GEUS. In the last weekend of September, several thousand people went out into the countryside to experience the 76 tours and events taking place on 'Geology Day'. At coastal cliffs, gravel pits and in the rolling countryside, geology experts from through out Denmark were ready to talk about the history of Denmark's geological gems. During the Research Day in May and the Natural Science Festival in September, geologists from GEUS visited schools, libraries, enterprises and organisations all over Denmark to talk about climate change, green energy and our vital groundwater. The final large events of the year took place during the Night of Culture in Co pen hagen in October at which people could meet geologists from GEUS at events at the Geological Museum and at the Danish Energy Agency to hear about climate, energy, earthquakes and beautiful minerals. The nationwide activities under 'Geology Day' were coordinated by Den Danske Nationalkomité for Geologi in collaboration with the Forest and Nature Agency, GEUS, the Geological Museum and the Geological Institute at the University of Aarhus.

Geodata in a European perspective
Just like the rest of the world, the European community increasingly needs access to nature and environmental data across man-made borders in order to manage resources in the best possible way. Exchange of geodata and environmental data is therefore very important for the EU. During 2008, GEUS worked on several research projects supported by the EU to promote the exchange of geodata across European national borders. The Geomind project developed a data portal for geophysical metadata giving the user an insight into which types of data that are available from nine EU countries and how to obtain the data. Similarly, the eWater project de veloped a data portal covering hydrogeological data from 14 EU countries, in which it is possible to search for information on groundwater levels and chemistry. Both portals are in several languages. Finally, GEUS is taking part in the OneGeology - Europe project which aims at developing a digital geological map of all of Europe in 1:1 000 000 scale. The geological data will be available via a web portal in which maps and information about the surface geology can be found in many languages. The projects support the EU INSPIRE Directive on establishing a common European infrastructure for spatial information to enable easier exchange of data over national borders.

Extended and more user-friendly access to data on wells and water
GEUS' Jupiter public sector database gives access to nationwide information on wells, groundwater and drinking water. The database is part of the Danish Nature & Environment Portal together with other nationwide databases with nature and environmental information. The database is used every day by employees at municipalities, regions and environment centres who are involved in managing groundwater, the environment and minerals. During 2008, a new user-management system was developed so that employees at municipalities can work with the Jupiter database directly through their own IT sys tems, and access to the database has been improved, for example for those taking samples in the field. They can now access well data typing in locations and coordinates using mobile equipment such as cell phones or PDAs. The Jupiter database has also been expanded during the year and now it contains water-quality data for water being treated at water works and geochemical data from wells which monitor possible leakage from landfills. Finally a large number of locations and landfill control data have been entered from databases kept by the former Danish counties.