The Nordic geological surveys: Geology for society in practice

Abstract

Since the mid-nineteenth century, when the first of the Nordic Geological Surveys were established, they have generated a substantial amount of information on the Earth's crust, its natural resources, its processes, and on the geological history of Nordic areas. The collective mission of the geological surveys is to carry out "Geology for Society", by doing research and providing services, and by making geological information and data easily accessible to all the varied end users in industry, government agencies, government institutes, public administrations, technical offices, academia and research institutes, as well as for private individuals. The present paper gives a brief overview of a few, selected, research areas and projects currently undertaken by the Nordic geological surveys. These serve as practical examples of how the Nordic geological surveys address important societal problems and challenges that require geological input for their solution. The growing need for minerals The markets for minerals and mineral products are to some extent global, particularly those relating to ores and concentrates. There are also local markets for minerals, mainly those of lower value such as aggregate, although these may be transported very long distances. Between these, many minerals, particularly industrial minerals, span regional, national and global markets, being driven, for example, by the building of new infrastructure in emerging economies.

Geology for society in 2058: some down-to-earth perspectives

“…Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. Geological Surveys provide 'Geology for Society' (Smelror et al 2008;Smelror 2011), and among the 169 UN targets, there are several that involve concrete actions where national geological surveys can and should play an important role (Gill 2017) ( Fig. 1).…”

“…Serving 'Geology for Society' is clearly the primary task for national and regional Geological Surveys (Slagstad & Dahl 2008;Smelror 2008Smelror , 2011Smelror et al 2008), but a key question is if we should play an even more active role. Stewart and Gill (2017) Technological paradigm shifts through our history has caused major changes in which minerals have been important to society (Fig.…”

“…The collective mission of the Geological Surveys is to make this geological information and data easily accessible to end users in industry, government agencies, government institutes, public administrations, technical offices, academia and research institutes, as well as for private individuals (Smelror et al 2008). The development, operation and maintenance of national databases and maps of geological properties and processes therefore represent key tasks.…”