SS: GIS Applications in Marine Geohazards special session: Geodatabase Design for Streamlining Geohazard Site Characterization
Authors: Noll Christian John , Broughton Aaron , Campbell Kerry J. 
Published: July 2010

This paper presents an overview of a Geographic Information System (GIS) geodatabase design that is optimized to organize data and increase efficiency in geohazard site characterization and risk assessment. Specifically, the paper: describes the geodatabase framework; highlights useful datasets and how they are organized; demonstrates geodatabase implementation into a risk assessment workflow; and gives a qualitative assessment of increased efficiency compared to non-GIS based approaches. This geodatabase application demonstrates the improvements realized in accessing, organizing, and visualizing relevant data to improve the understanding of geologic conditions before and during site investigation (e.g. well-site clearance, facility siting, pipeline route selection, etc.). It is also used to optimize data retrieval, to characterize the regional to site-specific geological conditions, and to help identify areas where data gaps occur which may require additional investigation.

We present a case study illustrating the development of an Alaska offshore geodatabase, which allows easy access to data that would otherwise be housed in multiple storage locations and formats. The geodatabase can query a multitude of public and proprietary data to understand the regional and site-specific geologic conditions. Because considerable thought and time were taken up front to organize data, end-users are able to quickly access data that might have otherwise taken valuable time to compile. This approach provides a vast improvement over site investigations where the geoscientist had to comb through multiple sources and illustrates the need for data to be housed in a framework where data is easily accessible. The geodatabase creation was made possible by methodical investigation of available data and best-practice organization. Use of integrated geodatabases will continue to increase efficiency in the areas of data retrieval, organization, utilization, and assessment in the face of ballooning volumes of data. This approach to quick and easy access saves time while making the data more likely to be used, all leading to a more complete and accurate geohazard assessment.

Introduction

Time is often a critical factor in geohazard site characterization studies. Thus, increased efficiency and streamlined workflows are essential for optimized project execution. Increasingly, emphasis is being placed on Geographic Information System (GIS) geodatabase structure and development of client deliverables, but little to no time or resources are allocated to developing a front-end geodatabase of relevant resources in digital format. This lacking is understandable because of the upfront time, effort, and costs that are not immediately recouped. The void is unfortunate because it opens the opportunity for insufficient or overly time-consuming background, literature, and legacy data searches because of poor data organization and deadline/budgetary constraints.

To avoid this problem, we propose a GIS geodatabase approach for data integration, organization, and management (Figure 1). This approach combines relevant academic literature, publicly available data, proprietary reports, and relevant project data in an easily accessible format where data can be readily queried and extracted. Because of the considerable effort required in the geodatabase design phase, retrieved data contained all relevant information, metadata, geodetic information, citations, ownership considerations, etc. The geodatabase allows for rapid access to data in the pre-project through design stages, and the accessed data can be available through the life of the project. Furthermore, using consistent geodatabase management allows new users to acclimate to projects in less time, with more confidence, and with a level of continuity not otherwise readily possible.