Furthermore, field geology also has a rapidly expanding realm of influence in engineering, landscape architecture, social sciences and public policy reflected in increasing interest by students outside geology. In computer usage, these tools are points, lines and attributes which are located graphically as geospatial features which can be exported and processed in GIS systems. Device drivers for using digital equipment in surveying are also part of PenMap. Geological Mapping Within the world of geospatial applications, geological mapping is a scientific discipline with fundamental differences with surveying, although surveying is an important part of mapping and provides useful control points. Geological mapping is practice of identifying and systematically recording a complex variety of natural features in an organized and disciplined fashion using the scientific method.
Problem solving and hypothesis testing are an on-going part of mapping.
Through the process of mapping, new insights continuously emerge which provide guidance as to what features to map next and which direction to move. Hence, geological mapping is an interactive, real-time scientific discipline which accommodates identification of complicated geospatial and temporal features, flexibility, and unforeseen complexity in the earth. To help meet the many challenges of digital geological mapping, we have created GeoMapper which is our own ERC software product for digital geological mapping as an extension of PenMap. In practical terms, GeoMapper is a computerized mapping legend which contains both the geological features needed to map the earth as well as a visual interface to use all the digital electronic equipment a user selects. The mapping tools include a pen stylus which serves the purpose of a full set of colored pencils.