Laboratory activities

The major activities of the Laboratory of Geoinformatics of GC RAS are the following:
• creation of an integrated geinformation environment, which combines geographical information system (GIS) technologies with GIS-oriented algorithmic methods of pattern recognition;
• development of theory, methods and technologies of creation and implementation of digital maps for various purposes.

The intellectual GIS are used for management of thematic data collection and storage, for complex analysis of georeferenced data (geodata) for natural, socioeconomic, statistical and Earth sciences. The mission of this project is adaptation of the existing methods of pattern recognition based on fuzzy logic and fuzzy mathematics methods, and their integration with geosciences data within an integrated geinformation environment.

Relevance of research

The developing GIS is a unique product, because it includes a versatile thematic database, which allows to use it for solving the range and the variety of tasks, and providing valid and optimal decision making in various areas. Another key feature of this GIS is the intellectual segment. The complex of algorithms based on Discrete Mathematical Analysis (DMA), providing pattern recognition, data classification and clustering, allows processing and analyzing of different sets of GIS data layers. Combination of versatile datasets and information resources within an integrated intellectual geinformation environment provides joint representation of data including visualization and spatial analysis.

GIS, which combines applied algorithms of data processing, provides an integrated environment for their application and representation of results. Such a system will provide fundamental research with versatile data sets integrated with algorithms of their processing. The developing GIS will be strongly sought-for fundamental research in Earth sciences.

Major achievements of the laboratory

One of the major achievements of the laboratory was the development of the intellectual GIS “Earth Sciences Data for the Territory of Russia” prototype, which includes digital maps for various thematic geodata layers for the territory Russia. The information content of the GIS was significantly extended and improved with data, provided by Russian and international scientific institutions and data sources. Currently the godata base of GIS includes more than 200 thematic layers arranged in 19 data categories.

Information and data are provided by:
• RAS institutions;
• World data centers (WDC) within the World data system (WDS);
• United States Geological Survey (USGS);
• British Geological Survey (BGS);
• German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ);
• Institute of Earth Physics of Paris (IPGP);
• International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA);
• International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA);
• Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), supported by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC JRC);
• etc.

Application and complex integration of pattern recognition methods and algorithms within the unified geinformation environment, based on modeling of discrete analogs of the fundamental notions of mathematical analysis, is oriented at solving geophysical and geological-forecasting tasks and implemented in the form of a Centralized Catalogue of Geodata Processing Algorithms (CCGPA). CCGPA is a GIS-subsystem, which provides access to specific geodata processing algorithms centrally executed on a GIS-server. Compilation and extension of CCGPA is performed by users. Every user-uploaded algorithm is to be verified and published by the system administrator. Then it becomes available for the user community.

GIS-server includes hardware and software necessary for the implementation of algorithms, representation of results, and storage of data. As a result, for any user it is sufficient to have a web-browser for data processing and visualization.

In comparison to locally-executable algorithms the CCGPA-technology has the following advantages:
• continually updatable set of algorithms with detailed description;
• possibility of sequential execution of several algorithms at a single dataset;
• minimal performance requirements of a user’s workstation, since all of the calculations are performed on a server;
• possibility of remote access to geodata base and results of data processing.

The GIS visualization subsystem was created to provide interaction between the system and its users. It includes geodata layers visualization, map operations, geodata set management and representation of CCGP-stored algorithm application results. The basic part of the GIS visualization subsystem includes a GIS-application, implemented as a web-application, which can be launched at a user’s internet enabled workplace without installation of any additional software. Thus the problem of geodatabase publication and interface between data, CCGP and remote users was solved.

Modern GIS representation technologies are highly efficient for the visual analysis of cartographic documents. GIS-technologies are common in demonstration systems based on up-to-date visualization means. One of the most advanced approaches for visualization and representation of georeferenced data is implementation of digital projection systems with a sphere shaped screen. This projection technology is a revolutionary instrument which brings the geoscience data visualization up to a new level. This demonstration complex was implemented in GS RAS; and currently it is the only device of this type in Russia.

Another significant application of GIS-technologies is the creation of the Atlas of the Earth’s Magnetic Field for 1500–2010. Thematic maps of the Earth Main Magnetic Field (EMMF) components compiled on various magnetic epochs and based on historical and instrumental observations are an effective tool for representation and analysis of EMMF and its temporal evolution. The Atlas consists of a collection of EMMF-maps for 1500–2010 including physical, geographical, thematic, and historical maps with additional reference material. The specialists of the laboratory developed the technology of GIS-compilation of digital maps of spatial and temporal variations of EMMF for the period of 1500–2010 using historical and contemporary data and models. This technology was used for the compilation of EMMF secular trend maps; maps of magnetic poles’ drift; maps of geomagnetic indices and EMMF variations during magnetic storms; and maps of EMMF anomalies.

Also the following was developed, adopted and implemented:
• Methods and technologies of creation of digital topographic maps and data banks for them;
• Concept of creation of Roscartography geoinformation canters;
• Concept of digital topographic maps supply for the governmental authorities of the Russian Federation;
• Concept of creation of GIS for governmental authorities;
• Principles and concepts of creation and organization of industrial production of Roscartography digital topographic maps;
• Concept of creation of a distributed spatial database for governmental authorities;
• Concept of creation of a situational centre for the Federal Government Executive Office;
• Principals of arranging of the organizational-staff structure of the situational centers for governmental authorities.