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 International 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).

Local Subclasses: (none)

Attributes

Name Type Bounds From Class Notes
observationMethod Category 1..* GeologicFeature Feature ObservationMethod specifies the approach to acquiring the collection of attribute values that constitute an individual feature instance (e.g. point count, brunton compass on site, air photo interpretation, field observation, hand specimen, laboratory, aerial photography, creative imagination). ObservationMethod is a convenience property that provides a quick and dirty approach to observation metadata when data are reported using a feature view (as opposed to observation view). For a borehole, the GeologicFeature observation method specifies how the geologic properties were determined (eg, visual observation, or standard AzGS logging procedure (described in detail somewhere else)). This property corresponds (loosely) to ISO19115 Lineage.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 1
nillable True
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 are: instance, typicalNorm, definingNorm.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 2
geologicUnitType GeologicUnitTypeTerm 1..1 GeologicUnit A scoped name pointing to a vocabulary 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 (eg: something like http://geosciml.org/classifierScheme/CGI/GeologicUnitType/200811) is preferred.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
inlineOrByReference byReference
sequenceNumber 1
bodyMorphology Category 1..* 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 or process that formed it.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
nillable True
sequenceNumber 2
unitComposition Category 1..* GeologicUnit Composition-based classification that requires integrating the character of the unit over large area, not applicable at the rock-material/specimen level. Examples: alkalic, subaluminous, peraluminous, I-Type, carbonate, phosphate.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 3
nillable True
exposureColor Category 1..* GeologicUnit Typical color at the outcrop of a geologic unit.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 4
nillable True
outcropCharacter Category 1..* 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 5
nillable True
rank RankTerm 1..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 6
inlineOrByReference byReference
unitThickness QuantityRange 1..1 GeologicUnit Typical thickness of the geologic unit. Always reported as a range. If have a single value, the upper and lower limit of range are the same.
Attribute tagged values
Tag Value
nillable True
sequenceNumber 7
 

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 3
relatedFeature GeologicFeature 1..* GeologicFeature Any geologic feature may be related to another geologic feature. For example, one geologic unit may "overlie" another geologic unit; a geologic unit may be "intersected by" a fault.
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 4
nillable True
classifier ControlledConcept 1 GeologicFeature A standard description or definition of the feature type (eg; the definition of a particular Geologic Unit in a stratigraphic lexicon)
Association tagged values
Tag Value
inlineOrByReference byReference
sequenceNumber 9
metadata MD_Metadata 1 GeologicFeature
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 20
nillable True
composition CompositionPart 1..* GeologicUnit Describes the composition (detailed, instance specific, lithologic description) of the GeologicUnit
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 10
nillable True
metamorphicCharacter MetamorphicDescription 1 GeologicUnit Contains the description of the metamorphic character
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 11
nillable True
part GeologicUnitPart 1..* GeologicUnit indicates a subsiduary unit with its role and proportion with respect to the container unit
Association tagged values
Tag Value
nillable True
sequenceNumber 12
physicalProperty PhysicalDescription 1..* GeologicUnit Describes the physical properties of the unit (eg; density, porosity, magnetic susceptibility, etc)
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 13
nillable True
alterationCharacter AlterationDescription 1..* GeologicUnit Describes the alteration character (either hydrothermal or weathering) of a GeologicUnit
Association tagged values
Tag Value
sequenceNumber 14
nillable True
bedding BeddingDescription 1 GeologicUnit An association to describe the character of bedding in a stratified geologic unit.
Association tagged values
Tag Value
nillable True
sequenceNumber 15
geochemistry ChemicalComposition 1 GeologicUnit Delivers a representative geochemical analysis of the GeologicUnit
Association tagged values
Tag Value
nillable True
sequenceNumber 16
 

Constraints

Constraint Type Status Weight
must have at least one related GeologicHistory Invariant Approved 0,00
 

Tagged values

Tag Value Notes
byValuePropertyType false Values: true,false
Default: false
Description: enforce the 'by value' property pattern without xl
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="gsmlgu: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 International 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).</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/3.2">gsmlgu:GeologicUnitTypeTerm</gml:targetElement>

                        </xs:appinfo>

                        <xs:documentation>A scoped name pointing to a vocabulary 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 (eg: something like http://geosciml.org/classifierScheme/CGI/GeologicUnitType/200811) is preferred.</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="1" name="bodyMorphology" nillable="true">

                    <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 or process that formed it.</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="swe:CategoryPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="1" name="unitComposition" nillable="true">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:documentation>Composition-based classification that requires integrating the character of the unit over large area, not applicable at the rock-material/specimen level. Examples: alkalic, subaluminous, peraluminous, I-Type, carbonate, phosphate.</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="swe:CategoryPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element name="exposureColor" nillable="true" maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="1">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:documentation>Typical color at the outcrop of a geologic unit.</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="swe:CategoryPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="1" name="outcropCharacter" nillable="true">

                    <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:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="swe:CategoryPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element name="rank" nillable="true" type="gml:ReferenceType">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:appinfo>

                            <gml:targetElement xmlns:gml="http://www.opengis.net/gml/3.2">gsmlgu:RankTerm</gml:targetElement>

                        </xs:appinfo>

                        <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 name="unitThickness" nillable="true">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:documentation>Typical thickness of the geologic unit. Always reported as a range. If have a single value, the upper and lower limit of range are the same.</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="swe:QuantityRangePropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="1" name="composition" nillable="true">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:documentation>Describes the composition (detailed, instance specific, lithologic description) of the GeologicUnit</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="gsmlgu:CompositionPartPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element name="metamorphicCharacter" nillable="true">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:documentation>Contains the description of the metamorphic character</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="gsmlem:MetamorphicDescriptionPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="1" name="part" nillable="true">

                    <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:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="gsmlgu:GeologicUnitPartPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="1" name="physicalProperty" nillable="true">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:documentation>Describes the physical properties of the unit (eg; density, porosity, magnetic susceptibility, etc)</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="gsmlpp:PhysicalDescriptionPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element maxOccurs="unbounded" minOccurs="1" name="alterationCharacter" nillable="true">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:documentation>Describes the alteration character (either hydrothermal or weathering) of a GeologicUnit</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="gsmlem:AlterationDescriptionPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element name="bedding" nillable="true">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:documentation>An association to describe the character of bedding in a stratified geologic unit.</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="gsmlgu:BeddingDescriptionPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </xs:element>

                <xs:element name="geochemistry" nillable="true">

                    <xs:annotation>

                        <xs:documentation>Delivers a representative geochemical analysis of the GeologicUnit</xs:documentation>

                    </xs:annotation>

                    <xs:complexType>

                        <xs:complexContent>

                            <xs:extension base="gsmlem:ChemicalCompositionPropertyType">

                                <xs:attribute name="nilReason" type="gml:NilReasonType"/>

                            </xs:extension>

                        </xs:complexContent>

                    </xs:complexType>

                </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="gsmlgu:GeologicUnit"/>

    </xs:sequence>

    <xs:attributeGroup ref="gml:AssociationAttributeGroup"/>

    <xs:attributeGroup ref="gml:OwnershipAttributeGroup"/>

</xs:complexType>