In 1999 the Central Foreland NATMAP Project Geographic Information System (GIS) was initiated to create digital geological maps for CD-ROM and web display. The system was designed to provide a shared working environment for Project scientists and to allow for the generation of digital products from that environment. Once the design, implementation, and population of geological features was accomplished, a  comprehensive prototype GIS workflow was begun on the Mount Martin, 95C/1 map. This prototype was prepared for CD delivery and open filed (GSC Open File 4015) as a GIS dataset in 2001. Due to recent technological upgrades we are now capable of delivering GIS datasets via the Web and this dataset is comprised of the original prototype along with the adjacent map, Mount Merrill, 95C/2. The intent here is to display some geological features from the Project GIS and to provide a brief background on the GIS and how it represents geological features.

Within the NATMAP Project, the move from hardcopy only to hardcopy and digital products was accomplished by building upon CAD mapping technical expertise, selecting off-the-shelf software, and extending existing workflows. MicroStation 95 was upgraded to MicroStation/J and interfaced with Microsoft Access 97. A field form based upon the Access data model was introduced to standardize data collection and organise attribute information. As the Access database was populated, point data could be displayed quickly in MicroStation and other data files could be generated to tag lines and polygons in ArcInfo. ArcInfo provided the environments to create and prove the geometric quality while ArcView provided a comprehensive but easy to learn environment for quality control and peer review. This dataset was pre-published in ArcMap and is piped to the Web by ArcIMS.

The features shown in this display are chosen to capture the essence of the information conveyed on a traditional hardcopy map. To that end, there are polygons with map unit attributes, lines with attributes concerning geolgical contacts, folds, and faults, and point data with attributes that reflect the assortment of data that is collected at individual outcrops. As an enhancement to the traditional data we have also included some features that draw attention to areas of interest or particular problem areas. We have also included some supporting cultural data for reference. One of the advantages of a GIS format is that a larger amount of data may be conveyed than found on a traditional hardcopy map. As a result, not all the attributes of the data are apparent in our preset display, but can be viewed using the
feature tables.