The Nordic geological surveys: Geology for society in practice

Since the mid-nineteenth century, when the first of the Nordic Geological Surveys were established, they have generated a substantial amount of information on the Earth's crust, its natural resources, its processes, and on the geological history of Nordic areas. The collective mission of the geological surveys is to carry out "Geology for Society", by doing research and providing services, and by making geological information and data easily accessible to all the varied end users in industry, government agencies, government institutes, public administrations, technical offices, academia and research institutes, as well as for private individuals. The present paper gives a brief overview of a few, selected, research areas and projects currently undertaken by the Nordic geological surveys. These serve as practical examples of how the Nordic geological surveys address important societal problems and challenges that require geological input for their solution.