Make the earth a certain depth of "transparent": The Big Data Age "Glass Earth"

If the earth is as transparent as glass, we can clearly see everything inside the earth.

The ' Glass Earth ' project, which uses information technology to visualize geological and geological processes, is expected to bring about great changes in geological research, mineral prospecting and engineering prospecting in the large data age. "A few days ago, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) Institute of Geology and Mineral information systems, Professor Wu Chonglong, said in an interview with the China Science Daily.

Make the Earth Transparent

It has been the dream of geologists to make the Earth's surface a certain depth "as transparent as glass." At present, the industry believes that "glass Earth" is a fundamental geological information systems engineering, can be seen as a computer network stored in the three-dimensional visual virtual crust, the system provides geological, geographic information, can be used for geological, resource and environmental decision-making analysis.

In recent years, many countries in the world have carried out a lot of work in their "Glass Earth" plan. 2001, the Australian Government took the lead in launching the "Glass Earth" program. The Netherlands, Canada, Britain, France, Germany and the United States have also put three-dimensional geological mapping and three-dimensional geological model in the Geological Survey of the core position.

In this respect, Wu Chonglong evaluation, although the world's "Glass Earth" has been given different meanings, construction content is also focused on the construction of the technical and institutional difficulties and difficulties, but have made some progress.

Many exploratory studies have also been carried out in China. For example, the Ministry of Land and Resources and the China Geological Survey in 2006 and 2011 successively launched three-dimensional urban geological mapping pilot and three-dimensional regional geological mapping pilot. It is understood that these pilot work around the strengthening of energy resources to protect the ability to ensure the safety of geological environment, promote the development of the Earth's three major themes, the continental crust, petroliferous basins, important metallogenic belts and other comprehensive research.

Geology needs "Big data"

Many scientists in the earth "transparent" exploration process, found that "large data" this technology is expected to fully grasp and understand the earth movement laws to provide solutions.

Chaopeng, academician of CAs, believes that the working methods of Earth science in the large data age include three levels. The first is the acquisition and preservation of data, the second is data mining and data analysis, including modeling, visualization, management and service, the third is the knowledge level, deepen the understanding and understanding of the Earth system. "he said.

For example, a "digital mine" is a real three-dimensional spatial model of mines based on large data applications. "Digital Mine" provides basic platform and decision support for mine design, production operation and safety management, said Wuliniu, professor of the Institute of Environment and Surveying and mapping of the University of Mining.

In the form of three-dimensional images, the "invisible" interior of the Earth has become the focus of geologists in the large data age. The visualization of three-dimensional modeling, which can make geologists perceive and understand geological bodies, geological phenomena and geological processes intuitively, will help to discover large concealed deposits and will reveal the mechanism of geologic hazards. "Wu Chonglong points out.

China's "glass Earth" to be built

However, although "Glass earth" construction and China's "national Economy informatization" and "geological prospecting and mining development informatization" strategic objectives. However, the information contained in the three-dimensional geologic framework model is still limited, and the value reflected in the practical application of resources, environment and disaster prediction is still a certain distance.

A few days ago, the Fragrant Hill Science Conference held a symposium on the theme of "Core technology and development strategy of China's Glass earth construction". Experts at the meeting pointed out that the "glass Earth" concept was proposed, the lack of mature theoretical and methodological guidance, but also the lack of strong and applicable key technical support.

Wu Chonglong that the core technology of ' glass Earth ' construction is information technology, which includes three-dimensional geologic information system technology which can meet the large data integrated storage and management, which can realize the rapid, dynamic, precise and holographic construction of geologic structure and geologic process. It can support three-dimensional geologic information processing technology of large data analysis and excavation of geologic space-time. ”

The experts agreed that it is imperative to carry out strategic planning and top-level design at the national level, formally launch China's "Glass Earth" construction plan, coordinate the efforts of various departments to carry out key technology research and development, to ensure the "glass of the Earth" Construction of the healthy progress.