The NW GeoData Clearinghouse at Portland State University internally serves faculty, researchers and students, while externally it serves users of all types. Some data sets are for internal use only, though typically they go online after publication.

Researchers receive assistance in constructing databases before they go into the field so that the collected data will integrate with the overall database structure upon their return to the lab. We also discover ways of "encoding" data digitally that they would traditionally record graphically (eg, core logs). The payoff for this early investment, is the later ease of analysis, or opening of new forms of data investigation.

A fast-paced course called GIS for the Natural Sciences has been taught for 4 years. It attempts to get graduate students and senior undergrads up to speed on GIS and statistical spatial analysis in only one term, combining raster and vector data-types. Students work on individual projects using their own thesis data or data from a clearinghouse data set.

Coastal GIS projects include a 5-year study on the coastal sediments from SW Washington to NW Oregon (Columbia Littoral Cell). This study has framework geology assembled for the Holocene, from offshore seismic to GPR, to shallow cores. A Seagrant-sponsored 4 year study (2 years remaining) on the physical characteristics of the coastal dunes of Western North America is underway. This study is distinguishing the Holocene/Pleistocene boundary in coastal dune emplacement timing and mechanics. Results will be relevant to many fields, including hydrology.

Glacier GIS includes temporal mapping and analysis of glaciers of the conterminous US. Glaciers are attributed with mass balance information, and data from underlying DEMs Temporal change is mapped from historical photos. The glacier database should prove as a monitor for environmental change.

Web-based GIS has been an exciting field to develop. Interactive GIS pictures and simple attribute lookups are delivered to the public and other collaborators via simple browser-based interface. So far only interactive features are available, but plans are underway to allow users to download data sets based on spatial queries.