GSEU-Geological Framework for the European geological data and information system
Management information
Project description
The GSEU project aims to establish, through collaboration between the Geological Surveys of Europe, a sustainable Geological Survey for Europe at the service of European society during the ecological transition and beyond. The aim is to highlight the importance of subsurface information as basic information for solving problems related to the natural environment and its management, drawing together the baseline data and knowledge needed to manage Europe's natural resources and reach Net-Zero.
In the project, there are different work packages (WP), with the objective of WP6 being the establishment of the Geological Framework, developing cross-cutting methodologies to create an evidence- and science-based framework for information on Europe's subsurface on- and offshore.
The main impacts:
- To strengthen international cooperation on scientific standards for baseline geology required by third-party applications
- To improve the Digital European Geological Information System by providing reference 3D geological frameworks
- To strengthen the foundation for decision support by providing evidence- and science-based geological information and expertise on Europe's subsurface on- and offshore
The main objectives in terms of the geological framework set-up are:
- To set up comprehensive metadata of European geological maps, map data sets and 3D models
- To develop the framework and vocabularies for harmonised pan-European maps and 3D models
- To share best practices for 3D geomodelling and visualisation
- To demonstrate the cross-thematic use of a geological framework for decision support
To achieve this goal, team members will collect metadata on geological maps and datasets, create a data model for multi-scale 2D and 3D subsurface data, and develop new and improved scientific vocabularies, workflows and toolboxes for 3D geomodelling and visualisation.
Targets
The Geological Surveys of Europe are the primary providers of subsurface data, information, and advice that can help the EU to achieve The Green Deal. The GSEU project aims to provide the basic information necessary to ensure:
- A secure supply of critical minerals is needed to develop green technologies – new battery technologies for storage of renewable energy, solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, green city infrastructure
- Knowledge of groundwater quality and quantity is needed to manage agricultural land use, detect and mitigate pollution of drinking water, and monitor and plan for extreme flooding events.
- Mapping of the subsurface needed to manage conflicting surface and subsurface land use, such as farming, urban development, carbon sequestration, geothermal energy exploitation, or storage of hydrogen fuel
Activities
Comprehensive metadata on European geological maps, map datasets and 3D models will be developed to support the search for existing information sources and subsequent cross-border harmonisation. The analysed information will be processed as metadata in the EGDI Metadata Catalogue, following the principles of FAIR data.

A conceptual framework and scientific vocabularies will be created as a basis for defining and creating harmonised pan-European map datasets and 3D models.

Methods, tools, workflows and best practices for 3D geomodelling and visualisation will be developed to be shared within the dedicated network at European Geological Survey level in order to contribute to sustainable and harmonised information and knowledge for decision-making.
