A comparison of geological mapping between Geological Survey of Western Australia and China Geological Survey and its enlightenment for China’s geological mapping

Xi’an Geological Center, China Geological Survey (XACGS) and Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) have carried out a 4-year cooperative project for exchange of geological mapping techniques, aiming to improve mapping quality based on the understanding and grasping of the recent achievements in mapping. The similarities and differences in mapping between GSWA and China have been described in this paper, based on the 3-year field work in Yilgarn carton of Western Australia and the western orogenic belt of West China as well as map compilation in the office. Geological map style, data integration, personnel organization, and quality control are main different fields in both parties, and no obvious difference has been identified in procedures and work process. “Mapping and expressing all rock units (under the scale)” is the fundamental philosophy of GSWA mapping, and is also the priority we need to improve. Systematic and logical data integration and release should be another reference to China’s mapping. Effective combination of regional survey and research, and high-quality talent map in the field are the basis to improve geological mapping quality. Map strategy focusing on the regional and stable map team provides important guarantee for accelerating mapping.