THE DIGITAL INTEGRATED STRATIGRAPHY PROJECT (DISP): A WEB BASED OPEN-ACCESS DIGITAL RESOURCE FOR EARTHTIME

The objective of the Digital Integrated Stratigraphy Project (DISP) is to eliminate stratigraphic ambiguity associated with sample position within a stratigraphic section. For example, it is often difficult to compare one author’s measured section and data against another author’s geographically identical measured section and data as there are often discrepancies in the measured thicknesses of units, the assignments of litho- and chronostratigraphic terms, and/or the precise line of measured sections between authors. The DISP aims to provide a solution to this problem by producing a precise 3-D digital rendering of the outcrop using Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) LiDAR, transformed digital photos, and GIS software to produce a cm to mm-scale accurate digital version of a given outcrop georeferenced by satellite positioning. Once available online, researchers can access the digital models of scanned outcrops where they will have the means to log their sample positions directly onto the digital outcrop while in the field, thus allowing unambiguous stratigraphic reference for future comparison. The DISP began its development phase this summer in England and Wales when four Silurian GSSPs (Global Stratotype Sections and Points) were scanned. Here, we will show the initial results of this work, including future user-interface abilities and features of the DISP. Often termed ‘geologic error’ or ‘stratigraphic error’ within the geochronology community, the uncertainty related to the chrononstratigraphic position of most dated stratigraphic horizons is often equal to or larger than the total uncertainty related to the radiometric age date itself. Therefore, the quest for improved high-resolution chronostratigraphy remains an integral part of the EARTHTIME mission. The Digital Integrated Stratigraphy Project represents the next generation of stratigraphic standard for chronostratigraphy and through integration with quantitative stratigraphic methods such as Constrained Optimization (CON-OP), the DISP can serve as the digital workspace for the integration of high-precision geochronology and high-resolution chronostratigraphy.The Digital Integrated Stratigraphy Project is a component of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) Project 591 – The Early to Middle Paleozoic Revolution.