Chapter from:
AAPG Computer Applications in Geology, No. 4: Geographic Information Systems in Petroleum
Exploration and Development, Edited by T.C. Coburn and J.M. Yarus
Copyright © 2000 by The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.
Computer Applications in Geology, No.4, Chapter 3: An Overview of 
GIS
in the Geosciences,
by Graeme Bonham-Carter, Pages 17 - 25
Chapter
3
An Overview of GIS in the Geosciences
Graeme Bonham-Carter
Mineral Resources Division, Geological Survey of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
ABSTRACT
Geographic information systems (GIS) are now firmly entrenched as routine tools in
many branches of geoscience. GIS technology is part of a spectrum of software systems
dealing with spatial data. The core activities for which GIS is particularly valuable are
data organization, visualization and search of spatial data, combining data layers,
analyzing spatial relationships, and decision support. The core functions of GIS include
spatial data capture, management of multi-layer data sets in a database, exploring spatial
data visually and interactively, transformation of spatial objects, and analyzing maps
singly, in pairs, and in multiple combinations. From a management perspective, GIS
projects have the beneficial effect of integrating people and ideas, as well as data. From
a scientific perspective, current GIS practice does not reach the full potential of
spatial data analysis.
