Abstract:Scientific research paradigm has been developed from experience, theory, and computing paradigm to the Fourth Paradigm: data-intensive science. Modern geoscience research is a typical data-intensive research with obvious characteristics of big science and more social functions. So it is urgent to promot geo-information resources sharing and collaboration of cross-disciplinary, cross-regional, and cross-team in global range. To meet this need, it is the necessary choice to set up electronic supporting environment for geosciences (e-Geoscience). e-Geoscience is an electronic environment for supporting geosciences innovative research and government decision-making services that is to inherit and carry forward traditional geo-informatics science. In this paper, firstly we put forward the key elements and conceptual model of e-Geoscience, then study the typical characteristics of e-Geoscience and analyze new technologies such as Web 2.0, internet of things, mobile communication, semantic net, and cloud computing. Furthermore, the technical architecture of e-Geoscience is studied in detail which includes: multi-collection of Earth information resources, storage technology, distributed/ high performance geoscience computing technology, resources sharing of geoscience information, accurate findings and intelligent recommendation technology, geoscience data mining, visualization technology, and collaborative research technology. Finally, we discuss the problems and challenges in the sustaining sharing of geoscience information, quality assurance, intelligent findings, and application of e-Geoscience. The positive coping strategies are presented in the last.