Research framework of geographical conditions and big data

Geographical Conditions Monitoring (GCM) is a novel and important aspect in the development of geoinformation science in the age of big data. Its development needs top-level design, new technology, and the establishment of a more flexible, efficient, and low cost service mode. This paper first explains the sources and characteristics of Geographical Condition and Big Data (GCBD), which mainly comprises eight types of data, namely, Earth observation data, basic geographic information data, geographical condition census data, geographical condition monitoring change data, ground observation data, survey and investigation data, statistics data, and public source geospatial data. GCBD involves five Vs, namely, volume, variety, velocity, veracity, and value, and exhibits the characteristics of regionality, objectivity, and dynamicity. A research framework of GCBD in the cloud computing environment is then presented. A deep transformation of "geographical data, geographical information, and geographical conditions" must be achieved through the establishment of a "space-aviation-ground" integrated monitoring network, a big data warehouse and cloud computing center, and a big data service environment to provide active, intelligent, integrated, and specialized service for the public, enterprises, and governments. Finally, building a cloud platform of GCBD is discussed from the perspectives of data storage, processing, mining, and application service. The cloud platform can fulfill the requirements of GCM in rapid data processing, data mining, intelligent service, and public application. The establishment of the GCBD framework can significantly change the service mode of GCM and promote its wide application and industrialized development. © 2016, Science Press. All right reserved.