12 March 2007

Scientists have claimed that the Internet will reap huge gains for both the scientific and educational communities by allowing the creation of an ambitious Internet database for geological data.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is coordinating a searchable database that will provide students and scholars the chance to research geological features, regardless of international borders.

The Internet project could also have positive implications for scientists trying to predict earthquakes or locate new sources of fuel, The Guardian reports.

Ian Jackson, Project Coordinator, told the newspaper: "The data exists, but accessibility is the key."

"We potentially know more about the surface of Mars than we do about some parts of the world," he added.

Through harnessing the Internet, the project designers hope to make data on geological features like the Giant's Causeway available for educational purposes.

The BGS states that although many of its own website pages do not meet the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative guidelines, it is currently working towards full compliance.

© Adfero Ltd

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