Technology for research of the coast

■ Integration of explore information for coastal areas

Despite coastal areas, where large cities and factories are located, are important for economy or life, the physical explore information has not been necessarily equipped.

In the past, different techniques have been used for the physical exploration on sea and land. In coastal areas, conditions are further limited. Research institutions have suggested that it is important to integrate data of sea areas and land areas, such as combining the seismic reflection survey data by the bay cable, electrical prospecting data and gravity-magnetic force data. Public data of coastal areas are currently managed individually by multiple institutions so that construction of smooth interoperability system has been expected.

In order to solve this problem, we created a method to integrate public metadata of several institutions. The metadata level integration of different type data would be able to contribute to the efficiency of search, utilization, and management for coastal areas.

■ Digitization of paper drawings such as track chart or bathymetric chart

To integrate different types of data and publish, the starting point is digitization of data stored on paper, such as survey drawing. We have worked on digital vectorization of paper drawings data, such as bathymetric chart, geological map, and track chart of geophysical exploration ship.

Quality management of vector data:

  • Data reading of paper drawings with different format and storage data with a unified format
  • Distortion correction due to aging of the base drawings
  • Conversion of the projection type
  • Distortion correction due to datum transformation

 

■ Development of integrated publishing system of metadata in coastal areas 

We have developed the integrated publishing system of metadata in coastal areas, which is outsourced by National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). This system has the electronic database of metadata such as geological map and track chart which are owned by AIST, Japan Coast Guard, and the Geographical Survey Institute. These data can be searched and downloaded with common Web screen for mutual use of the geological information across from the sea to the land.