Abstract Social development and rapid growth in the world's population has followed a remarkable technological development the past hundred years. Revolutions in agriculture and industry, medical innovations and new production technologies, have led to an increased standard of living for a larger part of the Earth's population. Megatrends for future developments are lining up and predictions for the next 40 years are numerous. Most ideas about our future societies imply new and innovative geo-scientific achievements. Towards 2058, we will have virtually surveyed and mapped every corner of the Earth. We will have detailed 3D images of the urbanized areas, and 4D models to assist to make reliable forecasts in a world of increased pressure on the natural resources and changing ecosystems. By 2058 the Green Stone Age is established, and we will use all elements in the periodic system and more rare minerals to support new materials and technological solutions. The major energy supplies will be CO 2 free. The agriculture will be more efficient, distribution and consumption of food will be more rational, and we will harvest from more marine food chains than today. More than 70% of the people on Earth will live in megacities and urban areas. Our cities will become smarter and greener, cars and public transport will be self-driving and autonomous tools using artificial intelligence to automate functions previously performed by humans. Substantial resources will be used to repair damaged ecosystems, and most important, we will use materials and products that have fewer negative consequences for the environment. The 17 UN goals for sustainable development are guidelines into the future, and geological surveys should serve as key instruments in the transformation into smarter and more sustainable societies. We are already on our way providing critical minerals for low carbon energy solutions, marine knowledge for blue growth, plans for green and smarter cities, and advanced digitalization for public services, as shown by examples in this present paper.

Abstract Global population growth, urbanization, increasing standards of living in many developing countries, climate change and reformation of (renewable) energy supply are among the most important trends of the twenty-first century, accompanied by a continuous need for conflict mitigation and peacekeeping as well as civil society's right to political participation. Goals for global sustainable development relate directly to the role and key expertise of geological surveys. The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany (BGR) supports these goals by adapting its agenda and scientific skills to global needs under the paradigm of ‘sustainability, responsibility and safety’. Our understanding of sustainability is the balance between economy, ecology and societal needs. Here, we report on the results of the recent adaption process within the BGR, giving a forecast for the upcoming decade. From now on, we will screen socio-economic developments continuously and adapt our work to the needs in politics, economy and society based on our knowledge and experience acquired over the last decades.

Abstract Changes in society coupled with more ambitious environmental goals increase the need to make the benefits of geological knowledge visible. The Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) is therefore evolving from its historical role as a ‘knowledge bank’ to become part of the integrated flow of public information. Three examples of the ongoing digital transformation, and how this will enable the SGU to contribute digital geological data for sustainable development, are: more automated data collection to monitor drinking water to be able to foresee water shortages; several new non-traditional marine projects, producing new information and recommendations for innovative measures to support Blue Growth, management and planning; an online virtual archive containing new data adding to our understanding of bedrock and mineral deposits, in turn leading to more efficient use of Sweden's mineral resources.

Abstract Mudrocks are highly heterogeneous in a range of physical and chemical properties, including: porosity and permeability, fissility, colour, particle composition, size, orientation, carbon loading, degree of compaction, and diagenetic overprint. It is therefore important that the maximum information be extracted as efficiently and completely as possible. This can be accomplished through high-resolution analysis of polished thin sections by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with the collection of large-area images and X-ray elemental map montages, and the application of targeted particle analysis. A workflow model, based on these techniques, for the digitization of mudrocks is presented herein. A range of the data that can be collected and the variety of analyses that can be achieved are also illustrated. Data collection is discussed in terms of inherent problems with acquisition, storage, transfer and manipulation, which can be time-consuming and non-trivial. Similar information and resolutions can be achieved through other techniques, such as QEMSCAN and infra-red (IR)/Raman spectroscopic mapping. These can be seen as complementary to the workflow described herein.