EMODnet5 - European Marine Observation and Data Network

Country / Region: European marine areas

Begin of project: September 25, 2021

End of project: September 24, 2023

Status of project: December 15, 2022

EMODnet, the European Marine Observation and Data Network, is a longer-term programme of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) in support of the Horizon 2020 strategy 'Marine Knowledge'. DG MARE is responsible within the European Commission for implementing the Common Fisheries Policy and the Integrated Maritime Policy.

The EMODnet programme is divided into eight thematic sub-projects, the so-called Lots: Bathymetry, geology, physics, chemistry, biology, seabed habitats, human activities and coastal mapping.

Source: K. Asch, R. Liebsch; BGR

EMODnet Geology

BGR is involved in the EMODnet Geology subproject/Lot and leads the work package “seafloor geology”.

EMODnet Geology is in the fifth phase. GIS data layers on various topics are being compiled, harmonised and made available via the EMODnet portal, the BGR Geoportal and the EuroGeoSurveys EGDI portal.

• Seafloor Sediments (substrate, accumulation rate)
• Seafloor Geology
• Coastal Migration
• Geological Events
• Mineral Resources
• Submerged Landscapes

Within EMODnet Geology BGR compiles digital map layers for the following themes:

• Seafloor Geology, pre-Quaternary, Quaternary,

  • lithology, i.e. types of rock and sediment that occur on the sea floor,
  • stratigraphy, i.e. age of the rocks,
  • genesis of the rocks,
  • faults
• geomorphology, i.e. surface forms of the sea floor.

For the harmonisation of the thematic spatial data of more than 30 participating project partners (geological services, universities and other research institutions) common, agreed standards are essential, so that the geology is described in the same way across political boundaries. Therefore BGR created scientific and technical guidelines and provides a common term dictionary/vocabulary to be used by each partner:

From the very beginning, the EMODnet Geology project has been compiling GIS data on Europe's marine geology according to INSPIRE principles. From phase to phase, the number of project partners increases, covering more marine areas and becoming more detailed in the course of the project.

The GIS data are available free of charge to all user groups, both as a view service and for download.

Link to the EMODnet Geology portal:
https://www.emodnet-geology.eu/

Link to the BGR Geoviewer:
https://geoviewer.bgr.de/mapapps4/resources/apps/geoviewer/index.html?lang=de&tab=geologie&cover=geologie_emodnet

Open access publication on EMODnet Geology Projekt
Discovering Europe's seabed geology: the EMODnet concept of uniform collection and harmonization of marine data (2020)

Publication on Quaternary and Geomorphology of the German seas:
A first approach to a Quaternary geomorphological map of the German seas