Kerstin Lehnert Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University

Geoinformatics The application of advanced information technologies to build a distributed, integrated digital information system and working environment that provides innovative means for the study of Earth as a complex system. GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 1 AGU: ESSI Focus Group GSA: Geoinformatics Division EGU: ESSI Section

Drivers of Geoinformatics The need to handle an ever-increasing volume of Earth and space observation data. The need to discover, access, integrate, and understand multi-disciplinary data in order to deal with more complex problems and respond more rapidly. The need for processing power, storage, network bandwidth, and analysis tools to support data-based and data-intensive science. GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 2

Benefits to Science & Education Democratizes access to research resources  Ensures broad dissemination & application of scientific data & knowledge (education, general public, decision makers) Provides new opportunities for research & education  Provides innovative tools for data discovery, data analysis, data integration, modeling, etc.  Facilitates new cross-disciplinary approaches Facilitates more efficient use of resources  Allows sharing of instrumentation, computing, data, samples  Minimizes duplication of data collection  Ensures preservation of unique data Offers new ways for collaboration (collaboratories, virtual observatories & organizations) GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 3

Components of Geoinformatics collections of scientific data & digital objects software toolkits for resource discovery, modeling, and interactive visualization online instruments & sensor arrays computational centers collaboration services GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 4 Diagram from M. Leinen, 2004: “Cyberinfrastructure for the Geosciences - An agency perspective”,

Developing Geoinformatics Development/adoption of technologies New organizational structures Policy framework Funding Culture change GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 5 From: Arzberger et al., Science, 2004 Geoinformatics

Status of Geoinformatics Many ‘local’ systems exist or are emerging.  Disciplinary & programmatic databases  Visualization & mapping tools  Tools for capturing field observations & sensor data  Digital working environments, workflow Networking of systems (interoperability) is advancing Policy development & implementation is evolving GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 6

Disciplinary Databases (Examples) Geophysics: IRIS-DMC, MGDS GPS, satellite & radar data: UNAVCO (UniData) LIDAR: GEON Igneous geochemistry: GEOROC, NAVDAT, PetDB Geochronology: GEOCHRON (under development) Experimental petrology: LEPR Metamorphic Petrology: MetPetDB (under development) Marine sediment geochemistry: SedDB, Pangaea Stratigraphy: GeoStratSys Paleobiology Database GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 7

3/9/2009 LDEO Geodynamics Seminar: “The 5th Dimension of Geochemistry” 8 Data Storage User Interface Data Metadata Databases Search Data Portal federated databases Search Data Library Bibliographical Information Search

Geochemical Databases Integrative data model ▫ Access to individual values, not data sets Comprehensive data documentation (metadata) ▫ Sample location, sampling process, description & classification, geological context ▫ Analytical procedure and data quality Interactive & dynamic user interface ▫ Build customized data sets that integrate data across original disparate sources (publications, theses, unpublished data sets) GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 9

A Typical Question “Are high MgO basalts (MgO >8 wt%) from Lau Basin more enriched than high MgO basalts from the Mariana Trough?” Query PetDB database ▫ Set location: Lau Basin, Mariana Trough ▫ Set sample type: Basalt ▫ Set Chemistry Constraint: MgO > 8 wt% ▫ Select data types: Trace elements, REE Output data table (.txt,.xls) with data from >300 publications in ca. 2 minutes GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 10

Putirka et al. (2007) Stracke & Hofmann (2005) Success Hundreds of citations in the literature Thousands of unique users/month Extensive use in education GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 11 Herzberg et al. (2007)

Visualization (Examples) GEON ▫ Integrated Data Viewer ▫ OpenEarth Framework (under development) GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 12

Visualization (Examples) CoreWall Suite ▫ real-time stratigraphic correlation, core description and data visualization system to be used by the marine, terrestrial and Antarctic science communities. GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 13

Visualization (Examples) GeoMapApp ▫ Data Exploration and Visualization Tool  browse bathymetry data from the world’s oceans  generate & download custom grids and maps  make 3D perspective images  map and display variety of data sets, including seismic reflection profiles, geochemical analyses, seismicity, and shipboard measurements  import your own data & display on the map. GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 14

GeoMapApp GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 15

Networking: EarthChem International collaboration of geochemical databases Operates EarthChem Portal to discover & access data in federated databases  >13 million analytical values, >600,000 samples (PetDB, NAVDAT, GEOROC, USGS)  Interactive maps, tools for plotting, animations GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 16

EarthChem: Other Services Compilation of new EarthChem datasets  Deep Lithosphere Dataset  Central Atlantic Magmatic Province Geochemical Resource Library  Hosting & serving geochemical datasets  Datasets registered with DOI for citation Promote standards & policies for geochemical data GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 17

Networking: GeosciNET Integrated network of Geoinformatics data and tools GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 18

GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 19 VisualizationCollaboration Data Integration Data Analysis Data Acquisition Data Dissemination

Physical Samples & Geoinformatics Need access to information about the samples ▫ to ensure proper evaluation and facilitate interpretation of sample-based data. Need links to physical specimens ▫ to make observations & measurements and the science derived from them reproducible. ▫ to allow discovery & re-use of samples for improved use of existing collections. Requires unique sample identification GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 20

System for Earth Sample Registration Provides and manages global unique identifiers for Earth samples Supports personal & institutional sample management Builds a Global Sample Catalog GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 21 International Geo Sample Number Register your samples at

Geoinformatics & Education Using Geoinformatics resources in the classroom Educating teachers & students in the use of Geoinformatics resources Involving educators in the creation of Geoinformatics educational resources Educating a new workforce for Geoinformatics GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 22

Using Geoinformatics for Education Work with real data Easy access to large volumes of data ▫ Regional comparisons ▫ Global synthesis ▫ Statistical approaches Visualization Real-time participation in data acquisition Social networking GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 23

Education Resources Science Education Resource Center SERC GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 24

Mini-Lessons at SERC (Examples) 1.Global Geochemistry of Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalts 2.Plate Tectonics as Expressed in Geological Landforms and Events: An Exploration using Google Earth™ and GeoMapApp 3.What Can (and Cannot) Be Learned from Scientific Drilling Using Examples from Margins Initiatives 4.Cenozoic Volcanic History of the Western United States 5.Igneous Rock Compositions and Plate Tectonics 6.Crystallization-Differentiation of Basaltic Magma 7.Compositional Diversity in Volcanic Suites GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 25

Education: Upcoming Workshops GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 26

Education: Short Courses GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 27 EarthChem Short Courses

Concluding Remarks GI is necessary to support Geoscience research & education. While the number of GI systems is growing, coordination and integration of systems is insufficient. Open access to scientific data is fundamental. Organizational and cultural challenges need to be addressed to make GI a real science infrastructure. Scientists and educators need to actively participate in the development of GI. GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 28

What can be done Data Managers ▫ Enhance available resources (digital lab book, convenient data submission ▫ Education & outreach Scientists ▫ Recognize the need of and comply with data policies ▫ Engage in dialog with data managers ▫ Support funding of new ‘coordinated’ database initiatives Societies ▫ Improve visibility of DATA issues ▫ Facilitate the global dialog on data issues Agencies ▫ Provide incentives for data sharing ▫ Encourage & support collaboration among databases (nationally & internationally) GSA-SC, 3/17/2009 K. Lehnert: Supporting Science & Education with Geoinformatics 29