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New maps on Seafloor geology

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Within EMODnet Geology, the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) (work package leader) compiles and harmonises the European marine geology map data with regard to geomorphology, pre-Quaternary and Quaternary geology. The three data layers released today on seafloor geology show the underlying geology from the Ancient Past (more than 2500 Million years ago) to modern Quaternary deposits and geomorphological features. From them we can read the story about Earths Evolution in the European, marine part of our planet Earth, i.e. from the oldest rocks and how they form, to the youngest rocks and geomorphological features representing the most recent geological and environmental changes.

A variety of target users include scientists and researchers, governments, employees from fisheries and industry, environmental agencies and tourism. In particular, the layers provide information about structures on the seafloor important for geoscience research, and investigations of future exploration of mineral and energy resources but also of biological resources. They are also a source of knowledge to show features of the seafloor geomorphology valuable for habitats of numerous species (fisheries, tourism). In addition, the layers provide information on the seafloor conditions to plan building infrastructures (such as wind parks, or a pipeline or a protection area for endangered species).

”Geology does not know political boundaries, neither at sea nor on land”, says Kristine Asch, work package leader. ”EMODnet geology will help users from science, governments, industry, fisheries and tourism to find and apply overview and detail geology data of any part of the European Seas”.

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