Mapping the Earth's Igneous Record. A Geospatial Database Approach

Abstract

The record of igneous activity (magmatism and volcanism) can significantly affect natural resource exploration and exploitation, including the search for hydrocarbons, critical minerals, natural hydrogen, and geothermal energy sources, as well as using mafic igneous rocks as storage sites for CO 2 . These effects will vary depending on the nature and timing of the activity, the structural framework, and the crustal architecture of the affected country-rock. To understand these effects and the interplay with other factors, we must first know the igneous record's distribution, timing, and petrology. In this paper, we describe a new geospatial database of the igneous rock record designed to provide a baseline digital resource that is application-agnostic and can be applied across the broadest range of research and resource exploration activities. We discuss the challenges we have faced and solved at each of the three main stages of geospatial mapping: database design, database population, and database visualisation. This includes the importance of a comprehensive audit trail so that users can differentiate between well and poorly-constrained interpretations, helping identify areas requiring additional work and data acquisition. The result is a geospatial database that will facilitate a better understanding of the Earth system and natural resource exploration.