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Lithica Explorer User Manual

General guide to prepare campaigns, work offline, capture geological evidence, analyze data, and protect or synchronize projects on Android.

1. Overview

Lithica Explorer is an offline-first Android platform for geological fieldwork. It brings together projects, maps, georeferenced observations, photography, audio, technical files, rock classification, structural orientation, and geomechanical analysis.

Scientific data remains on the device unless the user exports it or enables synchronization. Some map and scientific sources require an Internet connection.

  • Local and offline field operation.
  • Projects connecting areas, observations, files, and evidence.
  • Raster and vector maps, GPS, and prepared packages.
  • Lithological classification, igneous diagrams, and structural analysis.
  • GIS export, reports, and optional Google Drive backup.

2. Installation, access, and consent

Install Lithica Explorer from Google Play and sign in with Google. Connectivity is required to authenticate and verify access; fieldwork can continue offline after preparing the project.

  1. Open the app and select Sign in with Google.
  2. Review terms of use, privacy, permissions, and external services.
  3. Independently choose whether to receive development emails.
  4. Accept and continue. Android requests camera, location, or microphone only when a feature needs it.
Lithica Explorer sign-in and consent
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4. Projects and work areas

Create a project to keep observations, layers, files, and campaign results together. Select the correct active project before capturing data.

  1. Create a project and enter its name, description, and context.
  2. Define or link the work area.
  3. Import references or prepare offline layers.
  4. Open the project and confirm it is active before fieldwork.
Project workspace
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5. Map, GPS, and offline preparation

The map supports GPS navigation, layer control, feature centering, and spatial observation capture. Download or import required resources before losing connectivity.

  • Online basemaps and geological services when connected.
  • GeoPackage, GeoJSON, KML, Shapefile, GeoTIFF, MBTiles, and PMTiles.
  • Rectangle, circle, polygon, or current-view download areas.
  • Downloaded or imported raster and vector layers.
  • Visibility, order, opacity, and centering controls.
Map with field layers and controls
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Offline area selection and download
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6. Geological and scientific sources

Lithica Explorer integrates public sources and external services that can be displayed on the map. Each module is enabled separately in Settings and requires accepting a notice about provenance, availability, and accuracy.

GEOCATMIN

  • Queries public layers served by INGEMMET for Peru.
  • Organizes available information into layer groups.
  • Requires Internet access and depends on INGEMMET infrastructure.

Global and international geology

  • Displays geological maps, deposits, and occurrences published by international surveys and organizations.
  • Enable it in Settings before selecting its layers from the map catalog.
  • Coverage, scale, symbology, and accuracy depend on each provider.

Remote sensing

  • Includes Landsat, ASTER, alteration, and potassium or sodium spectral proxy catalogs and raster services.
  • Imagery may differ in date, resolution, cloud cover, and processing.
  • Validate the source before using a layer for technical interpretation.
Global and international geology layer catalog
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Remote sensing and raster layer catalog
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7. Downloads and offline management

Not every online source permits downloads. The download assistant lists compatible sources, lets you define an area, choose zoom levels or resolution, estimate tiles and size, and monitor progress.

  1. Open the layer catalog and choose a download-compatible source.
  2. Select the current view, a square, circle, or polygon.
  3. Adjust zoom, resolution, or extent until it is within the supported limit.
  4. Review the estimate and start the download without closing the app.
  5. Verify the result under Downloaded basemaps, Downloaded geology, Downloaded vector, or Downloaded raster.

Paleontology (PBDB)

  • Queries public fossil occurrences for the visible bounds through the open PBDB API.
  • Requires Internet access and approximately zoom level 10 or greater.

Mineralogy (Mindat)

  • Displays worldwide mineral occurrences and deposits.
  • Requires Internet access and a user-provided Mindat API key.

Imported layers

  • Your own files can be added to the catalog even when they do not come from a download.
  • Keep basemaps, geology, raster, vector, and reference documents organized separately.
Paleontology, mineralogy, and external data modules
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Offline layer and download management
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8. Observations and multimedia evidence

Observations may use point, line, or polygon geometry and combine position, date, notes, tags, identifiers, orientation, field geology, and analytical results.

  1. Create an observation from the map or list.
  2. Complete identification, geometry, location, and description.
  3. Add photos, video, files, or voice notes when relevant.
  4. Link classifications, diagrams, discontinuities, or geomechanical results.
  5. Save and review the detail view.
Geological observation form
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Field camera and multimedia evidence
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9. Compass and structural analysis

The compass helps capture azimuth, strike, dip, and dip direction. Structural tools organize measurements, sets, outliers, stereonets, and rose diagrams.

  • Calibrate with a figure-eight motion.
  • Keep the phone away from magnets, vehicles, and metal.
  • Use the level to orient the device.
  • Review each measurement before attaching it.
  • Export plots when results need documentation.
Compass and orientation capture
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Structural analysis, stereonet, and rose diagram
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10. Rock classification and diagrams

The guided workflow organizes observable criteria for igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. QAPF or TAS diagrams can also be linked to an igneous observation.

  • Choose the family first and describe texture, composition, and diagnostic features.
  • Record uncertainty and confidence.
  • Use QAPF when modal mineral proportions can be estimated.
  • Use TAS with suitable geochemical data for volcanic rocks.
  • Do not replace petrography, geochemistry, or laboratory analysis with visual identification.
Guided rock classification workflow
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Linked QAPF and TAS diagrams
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11. Discontinuities and geomechanics

Observations support discontinuity sets and Bieniawski RMR and Barton Q assessments. Enter only measured or defensible values.

  • Type, orientation, spacing, persistence, aperture, and roughness.
  • Infilling and groundwater condition.
  • RMR parameters and resulting class.
  • Barton Q parameters and rock-mass quality.
  • CSV or XLSX tabular discontinuity import.
Discontinuity records and RMR and Q calculations
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12. Files, export, and reports

The project catalog contains documents, images, video, and spatial packages. Lithica Explorer can share evidence, export GIS information, and generate campaign reports.

  • Review project PDF, images, audio, and video.
  • Import and organize supported spatial formats.
  • Export observations and geometries for GIS workflows.
  • Generate campaign reports with data, classifications, and media.
  • Always verify the destination and generated file.
File catalog and export options
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13. Optional Google Drive synchronization

Drive can back up and restore project information. It is optional and requests the drive.file scope, limited to files created or opened through Lithica Explorer.

  1. Open Settings and enable Drive synchronization.
  2. Authorize the account when Google requests it.
  3. Run Sync now and wait for confirmation.
  4. Check the last synchronization date before changing devices or uninstalling.
Google Drive synchronization settings and status
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14. Settings, privacy, and permissions

Settings covers language, coordinates, external sources, map controls, camera, Drive, and communications. The newsletter preference can be changed at any time.

  • Camera, Location, and Microphone are requested when related features are used.
  • External services depend on connectivity and their providers.
  • Drive access can be revoked from your Google account.
  • Newsletter emails can be disabled in Settings.
  • Privacy and support contact: jordanzav@gisgeo.dev.

15. Troubleshooting

The offline map is missing

  • Confirm the package finished downloading.
  • Enable the layer and center its extent.
  • Check format and CRS compatibility.

The compass is unstable

  • Calibrate the sensor.
  • Remove magnetic cases.
  • Move away from metal and electrical equipment.

Drive requests an account or authorization

  • Confirm you use the same sign-in account.
  • Enable Drive from Settings.
  • Authorize the requested scope and sync again.

Camera, audio, or location capture is unavailable

  • Review Lithica Explorer permissions in Android.
  • Grant only the required permission.
  • Reopen the feature after changing permission.