SALVAGE GEOLOGY

Salvage Geology is defined here by Galvin and Dawson as data of opportunity made available through man-made or natural events, such as road construction, quarrying, landslides, bank erosion, or forest fires. I would like to broaden that definition to include existing geoscience data that are in danger of being discarded or lost.

It is true that the geoscience community must take advantage of collecting data and information when opportunities occur, but without appropriate management, long-term archiving, and provision of access, these data would be of limited value. A National Research Council study published in 2002, Geoscience Data and Collections; National Resources in Peril, provided a series of recommendations to archive and maintain existing geoscience data and materials. Their recommendations are applicable to management of data of opportunity as well.

External science advisory boards that represent the broad range of scientific, government, and business user communities would be well suited to establish criteria for deciding what data should be salvaged or preserved and for prioritizing those data for rescue. Data collected must be cataloged and archived to assure accessibility. Networks of distributed geoscience data and collections centers, each with its own external science advisory board and serving communities of interest, seem to be the most successful model to date.

The geoscience community has a responsibility to leave future generations a comprehensive, easily available, and easily accessible body of information about the earth. Clearly, such a legacy will help ensure efficient and productive research by future generations of earth scientists.