: MAPPING THE PUERTO RICO TRENCH; AN EXAMPLE OF DATA INTEGRATION INTO GIS WITH EXTRACTION TO NEW DISPLAYS, ANIMATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Project PROBE, the Puerto Rico Ocean Bottom Experiment, a geophysical study of the Puerto Rico Trench, made extensive use of GIS (Geographic Information System) and related technologies to; (1) compile historical data for project planning, (2) assimilate data during fieldwork, and (3) extract data for visualization and analysis. We collected and integrated historical data into a database having a common datum and scale as would be typical of most research projects. Standardization within the GIS organized the data set with common metadata terminology and enabled consistent characterization. The GIS provided effective tools and documentation for the research planning and implementation. Using a GIS real-time during the fieldwork provided quality control and data manipulation capabilities (i.e. datum adjustment, re-gridding and reprojection) where needed. Extraction of data from the GIS for manipulation in 3D displays and animations, using tools like GeoZui3D and Fledermaus, allowed for dramatic visualizations. Data was extracted for modeling programs and for illustrations and maps using Adobe Illustrator with MAPublisher. The Marine Program Knowledge Bank will assist with the delivery of these products and methods to other scientific projects or to the general public.