Updating the 1/50.000 Geological Maps of IGME with Remote Sensing Data, GPS Measurements and GIS Techniques. The Case of Antiparos Island

The basic cartographic scale for geological mapping at the Institute of Geological and Mineral Exploration of Greece (IGME) is 1:50,000; at this scale, the whole country has been covered, by 325 map sheets. Field work for these maps was undertaken during the last six decades, by both Greek and other geologists. As a result of this procedure, there are still significant problems regarding the standardisation of geological terms (lithostratigraphic and structural names) and about where the stratigraphic and tectonic boundaries lie within Greece.

In many regions, it has been noted that adjacent geological maps show marked inconsistencies at their boundaries. These have arisen because the different geologists, working at different times, have interpreted their mapping with different geological and geotectonic models. A particular problem is that the currently used model for the geotectonic zones of Greece was developed after 1970.

The Institute of Geological and Mineral Exploration of Greece (I.G.M.E), acting within the framework of CSF 2000–2006 (Community Support Framework 2000-2006, Operational Program Competitiveness, Priority axis 7: Energy and Sustainable Development, Measure 7.3: Exploitation of natural recourses and support in meeting environmental commitments, Action 7.3.1) has been implementing a project called “Collection, codification and documentation of geothematic information for urban and suburban areas in Greece - pilot applications”. The sixth sub-project has been concerned with updating fifty 1:50,000 geological map sheets, using GIS and remote sensing techniques. The geological map sheet, Antiparos Island, has been included in the updating project and a new geological map is being produced by IGME.

Middle and high resolution satellite data were used for the detection and mapping of the tectonic features. Extended field work, including new geological mapping, GPS measurements and field data collection was undertaken during the previous years. All the collected data will be compiled and stored in the IGME integrated geographic database.