NEWS RELEASE
23 July 2012
Tellus Border Airborne Survey Touches Down
for Final Time
Having
flown almost 60,000km – equivalent to one and a half times around the world -
the Tellus Border geological survey aircraft has landed at Enniskillen airport
for the final time. The small twin-propeller plane, which has become a familiar
sight to the people of the Border region, has now completed a world-class
aerial survey of six counties on behalf of the Geological Surveys of Ireland
and Northern Ireland.
The
aircraft - equipped with the very latest geophysical technology - has been gathering data for the EU-funded Tellus
Border project over the last ten months, helping scientists better understand
the soils, rocks, water and natural resources of Ireland’s border
counties. Operated and flown by world
leaders in this field, Sander Geophysics Limited from Canada, the airborne
survey was part of the wider Tellus Border Project which also included a ground
survey focusing on soil, stream water and sediment sampling.
The
successful completion of the airborne survey is a major milestone for Tellus
Border, which is funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme. A new
phase of the project will begin shortly, whereby scientists at the Geological
Surveys of Ireland and Northern Ireland will produce maps for a variety of
end-users including environmental managers, policy-makers, the agricultural
sector and private industry. Maps and data will be freely available to all in
2013, culminating in a major end of project conference planned for October
2013.
Survey Captain Charles Dicks, pilot with
Sander Geophysics Limited said “After ten months, many in-flight hours and
various battles with the Irish weather, we’re delighted to have successfully
completed the survey and have greatly enjoyed our time surveying here in
Ireland”.
Ray Scanlon, Principal Geologist at the
Geological Survey of Ireland said that the completion of this stage of the
project will greatly add to our understanding of the environment we live in:
“We’re excited to begin processing the data collected from both the airborne
and ground surveys, which will be combined with the information previously
gathered in Northern Ireland to provide a new and exciting take on the geology
of this area.”
“We would like to thank people in the
border region for their support and interest during the airborne survey, as
well as the Irish Aviation Authority and the Irish Farmers Association who
greatly helped in the smooth progress of the project.”
The Tellus Border information line will
cease to operate on 27th July 2012 however those interested in the
project can email tellusborder@gsi.ie
or check the website www.tellusborder.eu
for regular updates.
ENDS
For
further information please contact Kelly McKee, Seona McGrath or Claire Bonner
at Morrow Communications on 02890 393837 or see the project website www.tellusborder.eu
Notes for Editors
·
The
cross-border Tellus Border project has been funded by the INTERREG IVA
development programme of the European Regional Development Fund, which is
managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This is the largest of the
latest awards under the Environment theme of INTERREG IVA and is part funded by
the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and
·
The project is a joint initiative between the
Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland
(GSNI), the Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast and
builds on the award-winning Tellus Project which has already successfully
mapped
· ‘Tellus’ was the Roman goddess of the earth, also called Terra Mater.
SEUPB
• The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South
Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in
• The INTERREG IVA 2007-2013 Programme is worth €256 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. It has two distinct priority measures to create co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable cross-border region.
• For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu