Geological Atlas of the Subsurface of the Netherlands-Onshore

Doornenbal, Johannes C., Ed J. Th. Duin, TNO, Utrecht, Netherlands

The ‘Geological Atlas of the Subsurface of the Netherlands – onshore’ was published in December 2004 and is a compilation of fifteen map sheets at a scale of 1:250,000, which were published between 1991 and 2004 as part of the systematic mapping project of the deep subsurface of the onshore of the Netherlands. The compiled maps that resulted from this project are included in the Atlas at a scale of 1:1,000,000. The maps and explanatory text summarize many aspects of the complex geological history of the Netherlands. These compiled maps lead to several new insights in the complex geology e.g. the occurrence of thrust faults and the relation of deep structures and shallow geomorphologic features as ice pushed ridges. The digital map datasets and 600 fault planes, which have been recently modeled, can be accessed through the internet in a GIS environment and can also be visu­alized with a free 3D Viewer. The visualization of spatial underground models that integrate knowledge will become increasingly important for obtaining greater insight into the complex geological structure of the subsurface. That insight is crucial for the spatial planning of the deep subsurface, especially now that more intensive use, such as gas and CO₂ storage, and geothermal energy generation, is being discussed. In the forthcoming years TNO-NITG will produce a wide range of thematic maps such as pressure and temperature maps, as well as uncertainty and risk maps of geohazards, H₂/CO₂ storage and overpressured zones.