Discussion of ‘The first engineering geological publication in the UK?’ by M.G. Culshaw,
            <b>
              <i>Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology,</i>
            </b>
            37, 227–231

Until recently most spatial geological information was in analogue (mainly paper) form, which made it expensive to store and often difficult to use because of its increasing fragility. However, with the rapid advances in information technology in the last twenty years, not only has it become relatively easy to digitise or digitally scan historical information but, increasingly, data suppliers are, themselves, producing the raw data in digital form. This brings with it a host of new problems for the acquisition, management and dissemination of the information. These issues include data collection (what, where, how and by whom), data management and security (metadata, validation, backup, access), data access (how, where and at what price) and the provision of value added products based on the data tailored to the needs of specific users. For engineering geologists, the historical acquisition of geological data in various forms is on the verge of delivering a whole range of new products that should alter the way in which site investigation is carried out.

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The provision of digital spatial data for engineering geologists

Culshaw

Jackson

Giles

2006

Bull Eng Geol Environ

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Terrain evaluation for Allied military operations in Europe and the Far East during World War II: ‘secret’ British reports and specialist maps generated by the Geological Section, Inter-Service Topographical Department

Rose

Clatworthy

2008

QJEGH

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Between November 1943 and June 1946, at least 16 geologists assisted the Inter-Service Topographical Department (ISTD), a British military unit primarily of geographers, under Royal Navy auspices, to prepare reports and geotechnical maps to guide planning of Allied military operations. Reports assessing terrain factors were generated with geologist assistance for parts of Italy, France, Germany, Austria, the Low Countries and the Balkan region; also for Malaya, parts of Indonesia, Thailand, Indo-China, Formosa, Hainan, Hong Kong and the nearby Chinese mainland. The Geological Section ISTD, as it was officially designated from August 1944, based at Oxford, had an authorized establishment of four Royal Engineers officers (briefly assisted by a few US, Canadian and Dutch military personnel), but simultaneously involved up to 12 earth scientists or engineers by August 1945; it was the only team of British military geologists to be constituted (except in India) in either World War. Its work marks a significant if largely unknown phase in the development of engineering and hydrogeological terrain evaluation skills prior to the evolution of terrain analysis as a major discipline postwar, revealed by declassified reports now preserved in the UK within the National Archives and the Royal Geographical Society's library; maps at the British and the Bodleian libraries; and documents in the University of Birmingham's Lapworth Museum of Geology.

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Military aspects of hydrogeology: an introduction and overview

Mather

Rose

2012

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The military aspects of hydrogeology can be categorized into five main fields: the use of groundwater to provide a water supply for combatants and to sustain the infrastructure and defence establishments supporting them; the influence of near-surface water as a hazard affecting mobility, tunnelling and the placing and detection of mines; contamination arising from the testing, use and disposal of munitions and hazardous chemicals; training, research and technology transfer; and groundwater use as a potential source of conflict. In both World Wars, US and German forces were able to deploy trained hydrogeologists to address such problems, but the prevailing attitude to applied geology in Britain led to the use of only a few, talented individuals, who gained relevant experience as their military service progressed. Prior to World War II, existing techniques were generally adapted for military use. Significant advances were made in some fields, notably in the use of Norton tube wells (widely known as Abyssinian wells after their successful use in the Abyssinian War of 1867/1868) and in the development of groundwater prospect maps. Since 1945, the need for advice in specific military sectors, including vehicle mobility, explosive threat detection and hydrological forecasting, has resulted in the growth of a group of individuals who can rightly regard themselves as military hydrogeologists.

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Discussion of ‘The first engineering geological publication in the UK?’ by M.G. Culshaw, Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 37, 227–231

Cited by 4 publications

References 13 publications

The provision of digital spatial data for engineering geologists

The provision of digital spatial data for engineering geologists

Terrain evaluation for Allied military operations in Europe and the Far East during World War II: ‘secret’ British reports and specialist maps generated by the Geological Section, Inter-Service Topographical Department

Military aspects of hydrogeology: an introduction and overview

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