An example of the Reclus geospatial databases based on our forthcoming paper in G-cubed (Markwick et al 2021).
To celebrate Earth Day 2022, we are releasing a high resolution, A0 pdf version of this poster which you can download by clicking on the poster image (pdf format, 53MB) Feel free to print this out for your University, College, School or place of work to use as a starting point to develop your own understanding of the Earth. We are now working on our 2022 updates, so we would welcome all feedback and suggestions. |
Welcome to Reclus, a Knowing Earth resource built in collaboration with Professor Douglas Paton (www.tectonKnow.com). Reclus comprises a suite of geospatial databases designed to provide the community with a baseline for investigating the tectonics of the Earth. Any geological exploration of the Earth ultimately requires an understanding of its structure and crustal geometry and composition – its architecture - whether we are searching for hydrocarbons, battery minerals, metals, water, carbon storage reservoirs, or geothermal. Although regional and local databases are available, there is no systematic, global suite of databases for crustal architecture and structure that are accessible by the entire scientific community. This is why we designed Reclus Reclus enables commercial explorationists to more efficiently add to and modify the databases with their own internal data and expertise to give them an advantage. For students and academics, Reclus provides a starting point for further research - it is so much easier to take an existing resource, question it, disagree with it, change it and improve it The Reclus atlases are built from the suite of Reclus structural and tectonic databases, but with additional information added. This includes a synthesis of the tectonic evolution of each atlas area, cross-sections and an assessment of how the tectonics impacts exploration potential for hydrocarbons and minerals, but also geothermal. The baseline databases are designed for community access and will be gradually published as each phase is completed. |
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How?
Interpretations using primary data and the latest published research, underpinned by new systematic workflows, a comprehensive data management system, and data auditing.
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The Need to Consider the 'Big Picture'
Reclus is one part of an integrated workflow that we use to bring together all the different elements of the Earth System in our search to understand the Earth and to aid in the exploration and management of natural resources.
Only by looking at the whole system can we hope to effectively understand any one part. Beginning with primary observations, through reconstructing the underlying architecture of the Earth, to climate and surface processes, the interaction with the biosphere and ultimately Earth models representing what we know as a way to help us retrodict the past and predict the future. To understand the Earth, first stand back |
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Where else to see the Reclus databases in action
October 3rd 2021, GSL South Atlantic. Professor Douglas Paton will present examples from Reclus for the South African margin illustrating how the databases can be used in conjunction with higher resolution seismic to provide greater insights into the prospectivity of a transform margin. https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/10-Energy-Group-Southern-South-Atlantic
October 20th 2021 GSL William Smith Meeting. Dr Paul Markwick will be discussing the history of the map representation of structure and deformation. https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/wsmith21 |
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Reclus?
Choosing a name, as any parent will tell you, is fraught with challenges. Here, we drew inspiration from Jacques Élisée Reclus, a 19th century French geographer whose 19-volume seminal work, ‘La Nouvelle Géographie universelle, la terre et les hommes’ examined the physical and human geography of every continent.
His summary volume, ‘The Earth. A descriptive history of the phenomena of the life of the Globe’, published in English, includes some of the first maps illustrating the global distribution of volcanoes and mountains. Élisée Reclus reminds us of the extremely close link between people and the environment – something that is more relevant now than ever. |
An Opportunity to Participate
We are now looking for funding to continue building, managing, and updating the databases.
By supporting development, organizations can get more directly involved in the build, design and timetable, access to annual online workshops and work in progress, and their logos included on materials.
For further information, please contact us at contact@knowing.earth
Whether you are engaged in academic research or commercial exploration, you need to trust the data you use and have access to people with the experience and expertise to know the questions to ask of that data and what the answers mean.
Reclus is designed to help you do this by providing a baseline suite of databases that are designed and built by international experts and underpinned by systematic workflows and a comprehensive audit trail.
By supporting development, organizations can get more directly involved in the build, design and timetable, access to annual online workshops and work in progress, and their logos included on materials.
For further information, please contact us at contact@knowing.earth
Whether you are engaged in academic research or commercial exploration, you need to trust the data you use and have access to people with the experience and expertise to know the questions to ask of that data and what the answers mean.
Reclus is designed to help you do this by providing a baseline suite of databases that are designed and built by international experts and underpinned by systematic workflows and a comprehensive audit trail.
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Related Publications
Markwick, P.J., Paton, D.A. and Mortimer, E.J. Accepted for publication. “Reclus: A new database for investigating the tectonics of the Earth: the East African margin and hinterland”. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems.
Markwick, P.J., Paton, D.A. and Mortimer, E.J. In Review. “Mapping the complexity of Transform Margins”. In Tectonic development, thermal history and hydrocarbon habitat models of transform margins, and their differences from rifted margins. Geological Society, London. Paton, D.A., Markwick, P.J., Mortimer, E.J. and Khan, E.M. In Review. “Coeval development of extensional and compressional features along transform margins: insights from the Diaz Marginal Ridge, South Africa”. In Tectonic development, thermal history and hydrocarbon habitat models of transform margins, and their differences from rifted margins. Geological Society, London. |
Further Information
Further information about the Reclus suite of databases can be found by downloading the Reclus flyer (right)
Additional background on the individual Reclus databases can be found in our Resources section. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly for further information: contact@knowing.earth |
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