Korea Institute of Geoscience completes National Basic Geological Map

The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) has announced the completion of the 1:50,000 scale National Basic Geological Map, covering 357 sheets across South Korea. This achievement marks the culmination of a geological survey process spanning approximately 100 years.

The map serves as a national standard for geological information, documenting rock types, formation periods, strata distribution, and geological structures such as faults and folds. The data is considered critical infrastructure for mineral resource exploration, construction of roads and tunnels, groundwater management, and responding to geological hazards like landslides and earthquakes.

Moving forward, KIGAM plans to advance this data through digitalization and standardization. Future goals include developing a ‘boundary-consistent geological map’ to eliminate gaps between individual sheets and establishing a 3D geological information system using AI and digital twin technology to visualize underground structures.