2.1.1. Existing data and maturity of the research field

Digital databases containing information on the topography and the Earth structure of Europe have been steadily growing. High-resolution digital terrain models are readily available for some countries, but are either non-existent or of very low resolution in others. Geological, tectonic, gravimetric and magnetic maps cover most regions of Europe, but the quality and density of observations is highly variable. Regional scale information is available on the European geodetic field and the electrical properties of the Solid Earth under our continent. In selected areas, targeted research projects have provided comprehensive details on land uplift and subsidence rates and more complete subsurface electrical resistivity data. Hydrological and geotechnical information is usually collected and interpreted at local levels, leaving large areas with only poor coverage.

Basic information on the Earth’s structure and the distribution of seismic parameters beneath large tracts of Europe has already been gathered from numerous active seismic refraction and reflection surveys and passive tomographic experiments, and from extensive seismic monitoring networks. An important limitation on tomographic images is their dependence on the reliability of generally poorly constrained background models. Furthermore, existing images either have low resolution or cover only relatively local structures. The quality of regional scale models suffers from a non-uniform distribution of seismological stations, and consequently from highly variable and limited spatial resolution.

To meet the ambitious objectives of TOPO-EUROPE, information on European topography and geodetic field, electrical, thermal and seismic properties, and hydrological conditions needs to be significantly enhanced. Not only is improved information on the spatial distributions of these parameters required, but also on their temporal variations. These requirements, as well as the dependence of tomographic interpretations on chosen reference models and on a more uniform distribution of seismological stations, can only be met by considerably increasing the density and quality of satellite- and Earth-based observation networks.

TOPO-EUROPE has at its avail or will acquire:

• new information from several large observation and monitoring programs based on satellite, surface and borehole measurements;
• excellent geomechanical, geochemical and geobiological laboratory facilities;
• expanding databases containing historical data on global and regional changes of key parameters combined with improved information on the vulnerability of natural and human habitats;
• state-of-the-art computational facilities for numerical modelling of 4D fluid and solid dynamical systems, including advanced parallelised computers and sophisticated process modelling software;
• outstanding research teams with expertise in geomorphology, geology, geophysics, geodesy, remote sensing, geotechnology, and know-how at the forefront of combined numerical and analogue modelling of dynamic processes and hazard assessment.

Co-operation with the astrophysical community will provide the TOPO-EUROPE research network with access to an ultra-high speed pan-European glass fibre network and massive computing power. This permits rapid data transmission between the TOPO-EUROPE natural laboratories collecting large amounts of new data. The availability of facilities and databases, and the scientists' intention to contribute to an integrated research program will set the stage for a highly competitive European position in continental topography research. Significant additional strategic data will be acquired under the auspices of TOPO-EUROPE. In fact, the need for high-quality and continuous databases and time series can hardly be underestimated, as today we generate the basis for future analyses, modelling and decision-making.