Mendrisio, Château-d'Oex and Sargans geological maps of Switzerland: free online data viewer and downloads

Abstract

The Swiss continue to publish highly detailed 1:25 000 geological maps and memoirs, coupled with informative cross sections. They are presented in attractive plastic wallets with a geological time scale on their back including stage names for deciphering partly abbreviated keys in whichever regional language. Swisstopo has also put free downloads of all their geological maps online, including out of print editions. This makes economic sense, given publication represents a small fraction of the overall costs incurred in surveying each sheet. In addition, they have developed an easy-to-use online data viewer where different layers of cartographic information can be selected and mixed together to produce bespoke, ready-to-print pdf downloads complete with a scale bar. Though, unlike digital data, which may become corrupted, printed material can survive for centuries. The first sheets in this national atlas were published in 1930, and so when their coverage is finally completed within roughly the next decade, policy makers would be wise to start resurveying older editions to keep them up to standard. In this way, Switzerland can maintain enough geologists familiar with regional ground conditions, to provide impartial advice about the impact of climate change on fragile environments vulnerable to flooding, landslides, melting permafrost and other potential geological hazards. Plus, enhancing water supply management, natural resources, radioactive waste disposal, carbon capture and storage, and planning new developments and infrastructure like their futuristic trans-alpine railway tunnels.