geonets

Geonets is a term used to describe networks that incorporate geographic information or spatial relationships. In geography and GIS contexts, a geonet is a network whose nodes correspond to geographic features such as cities, intersections, or sensors, and whose edges represent spatial connections like roads, rivers, or utility lines. Geonets are used to model flows, movements, or communications across space and can include attributes such as distance, travel time, capacity, and reliability.

Networks of this kind are analyzed with graph-theoretic methods to evaluate shortest paths, network resilience, accessibility, and vulnerability. They are employed in transportation planning, urban infrastructure design, environmental management, hazard assessment, and epidemiology, among other fields. Data integration from maps, satellites, and field measurements enables dynamic geonets that change over time, for example with traffic conditions, weather, or infrastructure failures. Visualization often relies on geographic information systems to map nodes and edges on a coordinate plane.

In addition to this generic concept, GeoNet refers to a specific national program in New Zealand that monitors geological hazards. GeoNet integrates data from seismographs, GPS networks, and other sensors to detect earthquakes, volcanic activity, and ground deformation, and it provides data services and alerts for scientists, public agencies, and the public.

The term geonet can also describe any geospatial network used for research or operational purposes across disciplines, underscoring the central role of geography in network analysis.