Servicio Geológico Colombiano Portal de Datos Abiertos (SGC Open Data Portal)

Overview

The Portal de Datos Abiertos of the Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) is the open data platform of the Colombian Geological Survey, a scientific agency of the Colombian government. The portal provides free public access to geoscientific datasets, maps, and applications covering geology, seismicity, volcanism, geochemistry, and related earth sciences across Colombia.

History and Founding

The Servicio Geológico Colombiano traces its institutional origins to the National Scientific Commission established by the Colombian Congress on 22 December 1916. Following several reorganizations, the SGC assumed its current name in 2011 when INGEOMINAS transferred all mining affairs to the newly created Agencia Nacional de Minería. The open data portal was developed as part of the SGC's broader commitment to making geoscientific knowledge accessible to researchers, policymakers, and the public.

Collections and Holdings

The portal provides access to geoscientific products including geological maps of Colombia, seismic monitoring data, volcanic activity records from national observatories in Manizales, Popayán, and Pasto, geochemical datasets, geohazard assessments, nuclear and radioactive materials information, and bibliographic records from the SGC's library catalogue. The agency also maintains the José Royo y Gómez Geological Museum network with locations in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali.

Access and Usage

The portal allows users to search, browse, and download datasets by topic or geographic location. Interactive maps and applications support exploration of geological and environmental data. Data are made available under open access principles, in alignment with Colombia's national open data policy. The SGC's main offices are located in Bogotá, with seismic and volcanic observatories distributed throughout the country.