`Deep' Semantics in the Geosciences: semantic building blocks for a complete geoscience infrastructure

Abstract

In the geosciences, the semantic models, or ontologies, available are typically narrowly focused structures fit for single purpose use. In this paper we discuss why this might be, with the conclusion that it is not sufficient to use semantics simply to provide categorical labels for instances—because of the interpretive and uncertain nature of geoscience, researchers need to understand how a conclusion has been reached in order to have any confidence in adopting it. Thus ontologies must address the epistemological questions of how (and possibly why) something is ‘known’. We provide a longer justification for this argument, make a case for capturing and representing these deep semantics, provide examples in specific geoscience domains and briefly touch on a visualisation program called Alfred that we have developed to allow researchers to explore the different facets of ontology that can support them applying value judgements to the interpretation of geological entities.