Class <<FeatureType>> GeologicUnit (extends GeologicFeature )

Operationally, the GeologicUnit element is a container used to associate geologic properties with some mapped occurrence (through GeologicFeature.occurrence -&gt; MappedFeature link), or with a geologic unit ControlledConcept in a vocabulary (through the GeologicUnit.classifier -&gt;ControlledConcept link).

Conceptually, may represent a body of material in the Earth whose complete and precise extent is inferred to exist (NADM GeologicUnit, Stratigraphic unit in sense of NACSN or Intnl Stratigraphic Code), or a classifier used to characterize parts of the Earth (e.g. lithologic map unit like 'granitic rock' or 'alluvial deposit', surficial units like 'till' or 'old alluvium').

Spatial properties are only available through association with a MappedFeature. Includes both formal units (i.e. formally adopted and named in the official lexicon) and informal units (i.e. named but not promoted to the lexicon) and unnamed units (i.e. recognisable and described and delineable in the field but not otherwise formalised).

Will be made Abstract when a complete (enough) set of specialized subtypes is defined.

Local Subclasses: (none)

Attributes

Name Type Bounds From Class Notes
observationMethod CGI_TermValue 1..* GeologicFeature Term(s) that specify the method by which the values for the GeologicFeature were obtained (e.g. point count, brunton compass on site, air photo interpretation, field observation, hand specimen, laboratory, aerial photography, creative imagination...). This corresponds (loosely) to ISO19115 Lineage.

Statement specifies the method that was used to identify the MappedFeature. Examples: .
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 2
purpose DescriptionPurpose 1..1 GeologicFeature Specification of the intended purpose/level of abstraction for a given feature or object instance. Scoped name because intention is asserted by author of the data instance. Values: Instance, TypicalNorm, IdentifyingNorm.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 3
geologicUnitType ControlledConcept 1..1 GeologicUnit Controlled concept defining the type of unit. Logical constraints of definition of unit and valid property cardinalities should be contained in the definition.

Use of the CGI Geologic Unit Type vocabulary
urn:cgi:classifierScheme:CGI:GeologicUnitType:200811
is preferred.
That includes members similar to those in the GeologicUnitType class in this package, but arranged as an ontology.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 2
inlineOrByReference byReference
bodyMorphology CGI_TermValue 0..* GeologicUnit The geometry or form of a GeologicUnit. Examples include: dike (dyke), cone, fan, sheet, etc. Morphology is independent of the substance (EarthMaterial) that composes the GeologicUnit.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 3
compositionCategory CGI_TermValue 0..1 GeologicUnit Term to specify the gross chemical character of geologic unit.
Examples: silicate, carbonate, ferromagnesian, oxide.
Chemical classification terms for igneous rocks also go here.
Examples: alkalic, subaluminous, peraluminous, mafic, felsic, intermediate.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 4
exposureColor CGI_TermValue 0..* GeologicUnit Typical color at the outcrop of a geologic unit.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 5
outcropCharacter CGI_TermValue 0..* GeologicUnit Describes the nature of outcrops formed by a geologic unit. Examples: bouldery, cliff-forming, ledge-forming, slope-forming, poorly exposed
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 6
rank ScopedName 0..1 GeologicUnit Term that classifies the geologic unit in a generalization hierarchy from most local/smallest volume to most regional. Scoped name because classification is asserted, not based on observational data.
Examples: group, subgroup, formation, member, bed, intrusion, complex, batholith
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
nillable true
sequenceNumber 7
unitThickness CGI_Numeric 0..* GeologicUnit Typical thickness of the geologic unit.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 8
 

Outbound Associations

Name Type Multiplicity From Class Notes
occurrence MappedFeature 0..* GeologicFeature Points to any number of mapped features which are occurrences of the geologic feature. Mapped features may all be from a single map or from several maps.
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 4
preferredAge GeologicEvent 0..1 GeologicFeature Specifies the geologic event that the data supplier considers the 'preferred' event age and event process for that feature.
This is the age and process of the feature that would be commonly shown on a geologic map (eg deposition age, peak temperature age, intrusion age).
Normative geologic unit descriptions are expected to include an age specification whenever the age is constrained--even if the range is very large (e.g. Phanerozoic....).
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 5
geologicHistory GeologicEvent 0..* GeologicFeature A sequence of GeologicEvents with role geologicHistory allow describing the Genesis of the GeologicFeature. In future versions of GeoSciML this sequence should be ordered.
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 6
targetLink GeologicFeatureRelation 0..* GeologicFeature Specifies the GeologicFeatureRelation that links the 'source' GeologicFeature to the 'target' GeologicFeature.
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 8
metadata MD_Metadata 0..1 GeologicFeature feature level metadata associated with the GeologicFeature
Association tagged values
Tag Value
inlineOrByReference byReference
sequenceNumber 10
classifier ControlledConcept 0..1 GeologicUnit The classifier indicates the kind of thing a GeologicUnit instance is meant to represent.
For example the GeologicUnit could be 'classified' by a ControlledConcept that is a name, such as 'Good Hope Formation', from a Stratigraphic Lexicon.
Association tagged values
Tag Value
inlineOrByReference byReference
sequenceNumber 9
composition CompositionPart 0..* GeologicUnit Describes the composition (detailed, instance specific, lithologic description) of the GeologicUnit
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 10
metamorphicCharacter MetamorphicDescription 0..1 GeologicUnit Contains the description of the metamorphic character
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 11
part GeologicUnitPart 0..* GeologicUnit indicates a subsiduary unit with its role and proportion with respect to the container unit
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 12
inlineOrByReference inline
physicalProperty PhysicalDescription 0..1 GeologicUnit Describes the physical description values
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 13
weatheringCharacter WeatheringDescription 0..1 GeologicUnit Describes the weathering character of the GeologicUnit
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 14
bedding BeddingDescription 0..1 GeologicUnit
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 15
definingStructure GeologicStructure 0..1 GeologicUnit Specifies the GeologicStructure associated with the DeformationUnit
cardinality is 1 because defining structure could be compound.
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 16
 

Constraints

Constraint Type Status Weight
 

Tagged values

Tag Value Notes
byValuePropertyType false Values: true,false
Default: false
Description: enforce the 'by value' property pattern without xl
hasXmlLang false Values: true | false
Default: false
Description: axml attribute xml:lang shall be generated for the type representing the class
isCollection false Values: true,false
Default: false
Description: attribute group gml:AggregationAttributeGroup is a
noPropertyType false Values: true,false
Default: false
Description: suppress automatic creation of *PropertyType compl
 

GML-conformant XML Implementation Details

<xs:element xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" name="GeologicUnit" substitutionGroup="gsml:GeologicFeature" type="gsml:GeologicUnitType">
    <xs:annotation>
        <xs:documentation>Operationally, the GeologicUnit element is a container used to associate geologic properties with some mapped occurrence (through GeologicFeature.occurrence -&amp;gt; MappedFeature link), or with a geologic unit ControlledConcept in a vocabulary (through the GeologicUnit.classifier -&amp;gt;ControlledConcept link).

Conceptually, may represent a body of material in the Earth whose complete and precise extent is inferred to exist (NADM GeologicUnit, Stratigraphic unit in sense of NACSN or Intnl Stratigraphic Code), or a classifier used to characterize parts of the Earth (e.g. lithologic map unit like 'granitic rock' or 'alluvial deposit', surficial units like 'till' or 'old alluvium').

Spatial properties are only available through association with a MappedFeature. Includes both formal units (i.e. formally adopted and named in the official lexicon) and informal units (i.e. named but not promoted to the lexicon) and unnamed units (i.e. recognisable and described and delineable in the field but not otherwise formalised). 

Will be made Abstract when a complete (enough) set of specialized subtypes is defined.</xs:documentation>
    </xs:annotation>
</xs:element>
<xs:complexType xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" name="GeologicUnitType">
    <xs:complexContent>
        <xs:extension base="gsml:GeologicFeatureType">
            <xs:sequence>
                <xs:element name="geologicUnitType" type="gml:ReferenceType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:appinfo>
                            <gml:targetElement xmlns:gml="http://www.opengis.net/gml">gsml:ControlledConcept</gml:targetElement>
                        </xs:appinfo>
                        <xs:documentation>Controlled concept defining the type of unit. Logical constraints of definition of unit and valid property cardinalities should be contained in the definition. 

Use of the CGI Geologic Unit Type vocabulary 
   urn:cgi:classifierScheme:CGI:GeologicUnitType:200811
is preferred. 
That includes members similar to those in the GeologicUnitType class in this package, but arranged as an ontology.</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="0" name="bodyMorphology" type="gsml:CGI_TermValuePropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>The geometry or form of a GeologicUnit.  Examples include: dike (dyke), cone, fan, sheet, etc. Morphology is independent of the substance (EarthMaterial) that composes the GeologicUnit.</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="1" minOccurs="0" name="compositionCategory" type="gsml:CGI_TermValuePropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Term to specify the gross chemical character of geologic unit. 
Examples: silicate, carbonate, ferromagnesian, oxide.  
Chemical classification terms for igneous rocks also go here.
Examples: alkalic, subaluminous, peraluminous, mafic, felsic, intermediate.</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="0" name="exposureColor" type="gsml:CGI_TermValuePropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Typical color at the outcrop of a geologic unit.</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="0" name="outcropCharacter" type="gsml:CGI_TermValuePropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Describes the nature of outcrops formed by a geologic unit.   Examples: bouldery, cliff-forming, ledge-forming, slope-forming, poorly exposed</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="1" minOccurs="0" name="rank" type="cgu:CodeWithAuthorityType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Term that classifies the geologic unit in a generalization hierarchy from most local/smallest volume to most regional. Scoped name because classification is asserted, not based on observational data.
Examples: group, subgroup, formation, member, bed, intrusion, complex, batholith</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="0" name="unitThickness" type="gsml:CGI_NumericPropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Typical thickness of the geologic unit.</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="1" minOccurs="0" name="classifier" type="gml:ReferenceType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:appinfo>
                            <gml:targetElement xmlns:gml="http://www.opengis.net/gml">gsml:ControlledConcept</gml:targetElement>
                        </xs:appinfo>
                        <xs:documentation>The classifier indicates the kind of thing a GeologicUnit instance is meant to represent.
For example the GeologicUnit could be 'classified' by a ControlledConcept that is a name, such as 'Good Hope Formation',  from a Stratigraphic Lexicon.</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="0" name="composition" type="gsml:CompositionPartPropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Describes the composition (detailed, instance specific, lithologic description) of the GeologicUnit</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="1" minOccurs="0" name="metamorphicCharacter" type="gsml:MetamorphicDescriptionPropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Contains the description of the metamorphic character</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="0" name="part">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>indicates a subsiduary unit with its role and proportion with respect to the container unit</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                    <xs:complexType>
                        <xs:sequence>
                            <xs:element ref="gsml:GeologicUnitPart"/>
                        </xs:sequence>
                    </xs:complexType>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="1" minOccurs="0" name="physicalProperty" type="gsml:PhysicalDescriptionPropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Describes the physical description values</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="1" minOccurs="0" name="weatheringCharacter" type="gsml:WeatheringDescriptionPropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Describes the weathering character of the GeologicUnit</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="1" minOccurs="0" name="bedding" type="gsml:BeddingDescriptionPropertyType"/>
                <xs:element maxOccurs="1" minOccurs="0" name="definingStructure" type="gsml:GeologicStructurePropertyType">
                    <xs:annotation>
                        <xs:documentation>Specifies the GeologicStructure associated with the DeformationUnit
cardinality is 1 because defining structure could be compound.</xs:documentation>
                    </xs:annotation>
                </xs:element>
            </xs:sequence>
        </xs:extension>
    </xs:complexContent>
</xs:complexType>
<xs:complexType xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" name="GeologicUnitPropertyType">
    <xs:sequence minOccurs="0">
        <xs:element ref="gsml:GeologicUnit"/>
    </xs:sequence>
    <xs:attributeGroup ref="gml:AssociationAttributeGroup"/>
</xs:complexType>