
3
Chapter 1
Geoscience application challenges
to computing infrastructures
Chaowei Yang and Chen Xu
This chapter introduces the need for a new computing infrastructure such
as cloud computing to address several challenging issues including natural
disasters, energy shortage, climate change, and sustainability in the 21st
century.
1.1 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
FOR GEOSCIENCE APPLICATIONS
IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Geoscience is facing great challenges in dealing with many global or
regional issues that greatly impact our daily lives. These challenges range
from the history of the planet Earth to the quality of the air we breathe
(NRC 2012a,b). This se ...