Research themes
System for Integrated Geoscience MApping (SIGMA)
The BGS·SIGMA project (System for Integrated Geoscience MApping) is an integrated workflow for geoscientific surveying and visualisation using digital methods for geological data visualisation, recording and interpretation in both 3D and 4D.
Digital data collection
Digital tools for data collation, field data recording, remote sensing interpretation, visualisation, borehole logging, and digital geological map compilation have been successfully implemented in BGS projects in the UK and overseas. The challenge has remained, however, to streamline these technologies and link them seamlessly into an integrated digital survey system backed by common data standards. BGS·SIGMA has therefore defined and documented an underpinning framework of best practice for survey and information management, which has then informed the design brief and specifications for an integrated toolkit. This toolkit enables assembly and interrogation/visualisation of existing geological information, capture of new data and geological interpretations, and delivery of 3D digital products and services. We have made the 2nd version of our award-winning digital field data capture tool available free with the expectation that geoscientists globally can use the system and share any modifications or developements in future BGS releases.
NEW! Download the second version of BGS·SIGMAmobile — free
BGS·SIGMAmobile is a field data capture system designed to run on rugged tablet PCs with integrated GPS units. You need to have copies of ArcGIS and MSAccess for the system to run, BGS does not supply these. BGS·SIGMAmobile 2010 is the second release of the system and it now makes use of ArcGIS 9.3.1 and includes several notable upgrades and improvements.
SIGMA implementation
Implementation of SIGMA has required definition of data models and standards, re-engineering of work processes and management systems. The BGS·SIGMAmobile toolkit uses commercially available hardware and software, which has been extensively customised by BGS developers.
SIGMA workflow
Other tools in the BGS digital mapping and modelling workflow include:
More information about SIGMA :
Contact BGS·SIGMAmobile
