Enter a search term (or part of a word) into the search field. If the desired term is clicked from the dropdown list, you are taken directly to the selected concept.
If the search term is confirmed by pressing Enter or the “Go!” button, all description texts are also searched, and the results are displayed in a list.
Thesaurus Search Field:

Alternatively, you can select a topic on the homepage and navigate to the desired concept via the hierarchically subordinate terms.
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Yes, the thesaurus data can be accessed in several ways:
 • RDF download: Full dataset via download button
 • SPARQL GUI: Interactive querying of the data
 • SPARQL REST API: Programmatic access for applications
In short:
The data is available for both full download and custom or automated access.
RDF Download:

SPARQL GUI - Query on GraphDB:
Important: Before running a query, make sure to select the correct repository “thes” (highlighted with a red circle and arrow in the picture)

Or use the SPARQL REST API for the Thesaurus:
https://resource.geosphere.at/graphdb/repositories/thes
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The thesaurus provides clear concept definitions, enables precise referencing through URIs, and supports the consistent linking of data to concepts – usable by everyone.
Benefits:
 • Clear terms: Precise definitions prevent misunderstandings
 • Stable references: Concepts are uniquely identifiable via URIs
 • Broad usability: Suitable for different applications and users
 • Consistent data linking: Uniform assignment of data to concepts
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All texts and images in the thesaurus are published under the Creative Commons CC BY-SA 4.0 license and are free to use.
 • Content may be used, shared, and adapted
 • Attribution to the source is required
 • Derivative works must be shared under the same license (ShareAlike)
More information about the license:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
In short:
The content is freely reusable, as long as attribution is given and the same license is maintained.

The thesaurus is central to GeoSphere Austria because it:
 • Supports data harmonization: Concepts are used consistently and linked via URIs enabling integration of different datasets.
 • Clarifies terms within the community: Ensures all disciplines use the same terms with the same meaning.
 • Ensures quality management: Contents are regularly checked to maintain scientific and technical accuracy.
 • Implements FAIR principles: Helps make data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable and supports compliance with the Public Sector Information (PSI) Directive.
 • Foundation for knowledge graphs and AI applications: Without clearly defined terms and unique URIs, semantic networks (knowledge graphs) cannot be properly built, which are essential for advanced analyses and AI applications.
In short:
The thesaurus ensures that data is clear, consistent, interconnected, and scientifically reliable – forming the basis for semantic networks and AI-driven insights.
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The thesaurus structure follows international standards and data models such as GeoSciML and INSPIRE.
 • This makes it easier to link concepts to the appropriate data content.
 • The structure supports international harmonization of geoscientific content and facilitates data use and sharing across institutions.
In short:
The content structure ensures clear thematic areas, simpler data assignment, and seamless interoperability.
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Yes, the thesaurus was originally known as the GBA-Thesaurus. Following the merger of the former Geological Survey of Austria (GBA) and ZAMG into GeoSphere Austria, both the name and the base URI were updated, as the GBA no longer exists as an independent institution.
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The GeoSphere Austria Thesaurus has been technically and conceptually enhanced to provide improved usability, modern data access, and a clearer structure.
 • New Base-URIs:
Use of resource.geosphere.at
 • New SPARQL-Endpoint:
Data access via a REST-API:
https://resource.geosphere.at/graphdb/repositories/thes
 • Revised structure:
Topics such as geomorphology and tectonic boundaries are now organized as independent subject areas.
 • Enhanced visualization:
Concepts can be displayed as a hierarchy tree, circular/bubble diagrams, respectively; additionally an alphabetical overview is available for all concept schemes.
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A term is added to the thesaurus if it is needed for data harmonization and concept clarification, is published, and is established within the institution or community. Suggestions can also be submitted at any time via feedback.
Notes:
 • Terms should be clearly defined and unambiguous.
 • Providing existing synonyms is essential.
 • Preference is given to terms already used in publications or standards.
 • New terms should have a concrete use case.
 • Suggestions should always include context and source (e.g., literature, project reference).
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The Thesaurus editorial team decides on the inclusion of a term; in cases of unclear or disputed meaning, consultation with institutional scientific experts takes place.
Notes:
 • Decisions are based on the term’s relevance and clarity.
 • Expert knowledge is consulted when uncertainties arise.
 • Providing a clear definition or source helps the decision-making process.
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Thesaurus terms can be visualized in different ways:
 • Network Diagram: Clicking the corresponding button displays the relationships between terms as a network.
 • Alternative visualizations: Depending on the context, terms can also be shown as a Hierarchy Tree, Bubbles, or Circular Diagram.

 • Alphabetical overview: At the bottom of the concept description, alphabetical tiles allow direct selection of terms.
Example:

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The thesaurus is structured into the following hierarchical levels:
- Theme
  ○ Concept Scheme
    ▪ Top Concepts (uppermost concepts within the concept scheme)
      • Concepts
z.B.: Lithology → Lithological classification → Igneous material → Igneous rock
Modeled as Monohierarchical and Polyhierarchical
 • Monohierarchical:
  ○ Each concept has only one broader term.
  ○ The hierarchy forms a simple tree, easy to understand and navigate.
  ○ Example: Sandstone → broader term: Sedimentary Rock → broader term: Rock.
 • Polyhierarchical:
  ○ A concept can have multiple broader terms.
  ○ Useful when a concept logically fits into more than one category.
  ○ Example: Pyroclastic Material → broader terms: Sedimentary Material and Magmatic Material.
Note:
 • Monohierarchies are simpler and clearer, good for navigation.
 • Polyhierarchies reflect complex real-world relationships and allow more flexible classification and searching.
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All URIs from the former GBA Thesaurus remain valid and are automatically redirected to the corresponding terms in the new GeoSphere Austria Thesaurus. This ensures that existing links, bookmarks, and data references continue to work.
Important: For all new applications or publications, only resource.geosphere.at URIs should be used to ensure consistency and up-to-date references.
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A SPARQL endpoint is an interface that allows targeted access to the thesaurus content. Using the query language SPARQL, data can be searched, filtered, and retrieved in a structured way.
 • Enables custom and precise queries
 • Provides access to specific parts of the dataset instead of a full download
 • Useful for analysis, integration, and automated applications
REST API SPARQL endpoint for Thesaurus:
https://resource.geosphere.at/graphdb/repositories/thes
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SPARQL query script:
PREFIX xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#
PREFIX skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#
SELECT ?URI ?prefLabelDE ?definitionDE ?prefLabelEN ?definitionEN
WHERE { ?URI a skos:Concept ; skos:prefLabel ?prefLabelDE .
FILTER(lang(?prefLabelDE)='de') . FILTER(!strStarts(?prefLabelDE, '['^^xsd:string)) .
OPTIONAL { ?URI skos:prefLabel ?prefLabelEN . FILTER(lang(?prefLabelEN)='en') }
OPTIONAL { ?URI skos:definition ?definitionDE . FILTER(lang(?definitionDE)='de') }
OPTIONAL { ?URI skos:definition ?definitionEN . FILTER(lang(?definitionEN)='en') }
}
ORDER BY ?prefLabelDE
Note: Do not forget to select the “thes” repository before running the query!
Result on GraphDB:

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In short:
Square brackets = provisional structural terms, not final thesaurus concepts
More:
Terms in square brackets indicate provisional or informal entries. They are mainly used as placeholders to structure the thesaurus hierarchy.
This particularly applies to terms introduced during the integration of the Stratigraphic Table of Austria (Piller et al. 2004), such as informal grouping terms or toponyms.
Important:
These terms are not intended as stable, official concepts and should therefore be used only with caution and not for long-term applications, such as attributing geodata.
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The GBA status describes the editorial and quality status of a concept (term and its definition) within the editorial workflow. It indicates whether and how a term has been reviewed and whether it is recommended for use.
For easier orientation, concepts are color-coded:
 • 🟢 Green (official use): Reviewed and recommended term
 • 🟠 Orange (informal use): Reviewed but only informally used term
 • 🔴 Rot (obsolete): Outdated term, not recommended for use
 • ⚪ No label: Not yet reviewed or assigned to a status category
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The Minimap helps you better understand a concept by visualizing its geographic distribution in Austria. Depending on the data type, occurrences are displayed as points or areas (polygons).

For more in-depth analysis, you can follow the link below the Minimap to the platform GeoSphere Maps , where you will find detailed information and references to the underlying datasets (e.g. GK50, GEOFAST, mineral resources).

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