An Example of Consistent Spatial and Thematic Data Integration in Large Areas by GIS: the Geological Map of Santa Cruz Province (Argentina)

Abstract

This work explains some considerations and guidelines used in the production of a large area regional geological map based on the construction of special geospatial-database and data management and map production routines. Spatial and Knowledge data integration involves a series of techniques and tasks where data, work procedures and human resources have to be specially prepared and coordinated in order to obtain consistent geospatial-database and maps. Hardware and software also have to be balanced in order to manage a huge amount of data, information digitised by different operators, and data taken from different sources.

Since the construction of the Santa Cruz province Geological Map at 1:750.000 scale were made from the spatial integration of 27 geological sheets at 1:250.000 scale, several construction steps have been followed in order to maintain the spatial and thematic map consistency.