USGS GEOCHRON DATABASE: PROMOTING OPEN FAIR DATA ACCESSIBILITY TO USGS GEOCHRONOLOGY AND THERMOCHRONOLOGY DATA

Geochronologic and thermochronologic data provide essential constraints on the timing and rates of geologic processes and events, providing crucial details for Earth system processes across temporal scales and Earth science disciplines. Geochronologic and thermochronologic dates and ages inform geologic mapping, mineral and energy resource exploration, and natural hazard assessments. A new centralized database of geochronologic and thermochronologic data compiles decades of USGS- and state survey-generated data from various sources into a standardized database schema designed around the FAIR data principles. The USGS Geochron Database includes Quaternary dating techniques, such as optically stimulated luminescence, radiocarbon, cosmogenic radio nuclides, and U-series, as well as long-lived isotopic dating systems applicable to deep time, such as the U-Th-Pb, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, Lu-Hf, Re-Os, K-Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar methods.

Prior to release of this database, datasets existed in various locations and formats including publication pdf tables, outdated databases, and journal supplements. This effort creates a flexible database schema that can accommodate the variety of data reporting styles and analytical measurements, while compiling the sample, analytical, and publication metadata into a standardized format. Persistent identifiers (DOIs, IGSNs, etc.) ensure the interoperability of the database and link data across repositories. Controlled vocabularies provide a standardization of metadata associated with the interpretations of these dates and data and increase the ability to search the database to quickly compare data of interest.

Versioned data releases of the database are publicly accessible through a variety of sources: 1) flattened CSV files are available from the ScienceBase trusted digital repository (doi.org/10.5066/P9RZNPIF), 2) an ArcGIS file geodatabase and feature service layers are available on ScienceBase, 3) an interactive web application, the USGS Geochron Database Explorer (apps.usgs.gov/geochron_database_explorer), is accessible to explore data summaries, view data visualizations, and download data in a user-friendly map-based interface. 4) A Geochron Database downloader provides geographic selection and data download options hosted by the National Geologic Map Database (ngmdb.usgs.gov/geochron).