What geological data and services does EuroGeoSurveys provide?

Updated

EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) provides open-access, harmonised geological maps, geological data and data infrastructure covering Europe, plus expert advice drawn from its member Geological Surveys. It is a not-for-profit organisation representing the Geological Surveys of Europe, and its stated purpose is to bridge geoscience and policy for the benefit of European society. The data and services are aimed at European Institutions, regulators, industry and the public, and are intended to guide policy and address societal challenges.

What EGS provides

Harmonised geological maps and data

EGS describes its core offering as "open-access, harmonised geological maps, data, and data infrastructure." The emphasis on harmonised matters: the point is to make geological information from many national surveys comparable and usable at a pan-European scale, rather than leaving it fragmented country by country.

Pan-European geoscience data and advice

Beyond raw data, EGS positions itself as a source of "expert, balanced and practical pan-European geoscience data and advice." That means the service is not only a data repository but also an interpretation and advisory function for EU-level decision-making.

Coverage of land and marine environments

EGS works on geological knowledge of both the European landmass and Europe's marine environment. One of its recent public positions calls for harmonised and interoperable geological knowledge of Europe's marine environment, indicating that marine geology is an active area of its data and policy work.

Expert Groups and Task Forces

The research and activities behind these services are carried out through EGS Expert Groups and Task Forces. Hundreds of experts from the Geological Surveys of Europe participate. The Expert Groups named on the site include:

  • GhEG
  • EOEG
  • GEG
  • ICDTF
  • GMMEG
  • SIEG
  • WREG
  • UGEG
  • MREG
  • MGEG
  • GEEG
  • GpEG

The site also highlights a GeoEnergy Expert Group, which contributes to international geothermal dialogue.

Who it is for

Audience What EGS offers
European Institutions Pan-European geoscience data and advice to guide policy
Regulators Harmonised geological knowledge for evidence-based decisions
Industry Open-access maps, data and data infrastructure
The public Open-access geological maps and data

Scale behind the service

EGS reports the following figures for its network:

  • 37 member organisations
  • 500+ experts
  • 10,000+ workforce

These are the Geological Surveys of Europe. EGS states that only the combined Geological Surveys of Europe have the data, expertise and collaborative network to deliver harmonised pan-European geoscience.

How to access it

The homepage points to "open-access, harmonised geological maps, data, and data infrastructure," with a "More about EGS" route for detail on the organisation and its services. If you need a specific dataset, the practical starting point is the relevant Expert Group or the member Geological Survey for the country or region you are interested in, since EGS operates as a network of national surveys rather than a single central data portal described on this page.

What EGS does not appear to be

Based on the available site information, EGS is not presented as a commercial data vendor. It is a not-for-profit organisation, and its stated outputs are open-access. The page does not describe pricing, paid tiers or login requirements, so no conclusion should be drawn about whether any specific dataset or service carries conditions of use.