Topographic data in the cartographic support of geological exploration: current state and prospects

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is an attempt to characterize the scientific and practical issues of modern topographic data preparation and its use in geological exploration. The study is based on the long-term author’s experience in cartographic support of field and cameral geological and geophysical works and on the analysis of modern research in topographical mapping. The specifics of providing access to modern topographic data in the Russian Federation, the Republic of India and the Republic of Colombia, where the main experimental work has been carried out, are briefly described. The content features of the topographic map sheets of these countries are shortly summarized. Practical results of solving such exploration tasks as survey network design, creation of terrain sketch, processing and interpretation of geological and geophysical data, creation of digital terrain models, and preparation of base maps for web services are presented. The prospective directions for further research in improving the use of topographic data in geological exploration are given. It has been found that topographic maps and data are increasingly being used as base layers in the creation of the modern web map services. A balanced and critical approach to the use of global topographic data resources is need for geological exploration as a state’s strategic activity. The industry needs publicly available national multiscale topographic maps as well as theoretical and methodological foundations for the use of web mapping advances in mineral prospecting and exploration.