13 Data Preservation for the Geosciences: Recent Advances in Geo-Databases, Repository Practices, and Big Data Applications

Wednesday, 24 May 2023
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 304-306

THE UTAH GEOCHRONOLOGY DATABASE

Paper number: 13-3
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM

Authors

Abstract

The Utah Geochronology Database (UGDB, https://geology.utah.gov/apps/geochron) is a web-based geospatial application and database that showcases the geologic age and relevant metadata of rock, soil, and water samples across the state. It is one of many web applications that the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) maintains in support of our mission to provide the public with timely scientific information about Utah’s geologic environment, resources, and hazards. The UGDB contains more than 3100 individual records, including samples located outside Utah, from relevant projects conducted with federal and state government agencies and academic and private sector scientific partners. Funded by the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program and the UGS, the UGDB currently hosts data from the following geo-/thermochronology dating methods: 40Ar/39Ar, tephrochronology, fission-track, cosmogenic nuclide, luminescence (TL, IRSL, and OSL), tritium, radiocarbon (14C), Rb-Sr, and U-Th-Pb. These data are organized as an ESRI file geodatabase with each dating method assigned to a separate feature class. Systematic archival of geochronological metadata in digital source documents hosted on UGS webpages qualifies each file for DOI assignment. A simple database schema ensures that each entry shares common fields (e.g., Project, Sample Material, Laboratory) with differentiation in appended fields that are specific to the dating method (e.g., conventional and calibrated ages for radiocarbon dating). Users may either search the UGDB web application directly for data, download an ESRI file geodatabase, or browse the laboratory reports in the UGS GeoData Archive (https://geodata.geology.utah.gov/pages/search.php?search=%21collection182). The UGS is now assisting the USGS with creation of a national database and lessons learned from the UGDB may serve in this process. Planned UGDB updates include reclassification of existing records to align with modern reporting standards and expansion of available records to include U-Th/He thermochronology and U-Pb-Hf data from in situ and detrital samples. The UGS encourages donations of geochronologic data produced from Utah samples, so that they may be permanently archived, discoverable, and available to the public.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 55, No. 5

doi: 10.1130/abs/2023RM-387820

© Copyright 2023 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.