THE GEOCHRON DATABASE

The EARTHTIME initiative has been very successful in ironing out the inter-laboratory biases by promoting best practices in data collection and use of standardized tracers and reference materials. Importantly, the effort has also worked toward developing software approaches that also help ensure reproducible results. The goal of obtaining dates at the per mil level is nearly complete.

Another aspect of data reproducibility is reporting so that analyses are transparent and the data originator or subsequent users can understand the dates well and recalculate for changes in factors such as decay constants and tracer characteristics. This can be done using community-defined standards at the Geochron database (Geochron.org), a system developed to work closely with data providers and end users. Data are uploaded to and download from the database within a limited number of data reduction programs (primarily U-Pb [ID-TIMS, SIMS, LA-ICP-MS] and Ar-Ar). Information for these systems and others (Fission Track, and (U-Th)/He) can be uploaded through spreadsheets that mimic community defined data reporting schemes. Work is progressing on reporting for 14C and TCN data. Other information can be supported at community request. This presentation aims at allowing current or potential users to gather further information and work with the data system.