TIMESCALE INFORMATION SYSTEM (TIS)

The CHRONOS Systems (www.chronos.org), an NSF-funded geoinformatics project dedicated to the development of a network of data and tools for sedimentary geology and paleobiology has created an on-line tool for interaction with timescales and timescale based information. The system is based on a model derived from the successful efforts of the geographical information systems (GIS) community. The Timescale Information System or TIS created by CHRONOS allows the user to display timescale data and plotted data in resolution independent scalable vector graphic (SVG). Timescale data is accessed from the CHRONOS Systems databases and other remote databases. Inter-comparison of timescales, relating of data sets onto the timescales and timescale conversions are all possible with the TIS system. Built on a modular structure an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) document defines the manner in which various types of data can be integrated into the view. Examples of these capabilities will be shown including polarity and isotope data plotting. An age range chart capacity will also be shown as an example of the modular and extensible TIS structure and provide an example of how other groups could take and expand the basic TIS structure for their own efforts.