The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources on Sept. 10 announced its completion of all 357 sheets of the National Basic Geological Map of the country at its headquarters in Daejeon.

By Xu Aiying
Photo = Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources

After about a century of geological surveys, the National Basic Geological Map, a comprehensive record of the country's history and geological features including rocks, strata and faults, has been completed.

The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) on Sept. 10 announced its completion of all 357 sheets of the map at its headquarters in Daejeon.

The map is standard data on the country's geological history, systematically documenting the types and formation periods of rocks comprising national landmass, distribution and sequence of geological strata, and geological structures such as faults and folds.

Unlike general maps that show locations and topography, this map displays the processes through which Korea's present-day territory was formed. Often dubbed a "history book of the land," this basic national asset helps public understanding of the geological formation of the Korean Peninsula.

The map is expected to serve as crucial public guide for a range of applications including mineral resource exploration, construction of infrastructure, use of groundwater and underground spaces, and geological disaster response.

"The completion of the National Basic Geological Map is a historic milestone that embodies the dedication of geologists who have walked and documented national terrain for over 100 years, as well as advances in science and technology," KIGAM President Kwon Yi Kyun said. "We will create new value by combining this geological data with artificial intelligence and digital twins to support national resource security and public safety."

Publication status of National Basic Geological Map by period