WELCOME to the Geoscientific Database Guide
Mai 2001 Version
Introduction
For several years crustal processes near the convergent plate boundary of South America have been studied by the "Collaborative Research Center 267, (SFB 267)" entitled "Deformation Processes in the Andes". The studies concentrate on a segment of the southern Central Andes, extending between 20° and 30° latitude south, from the Pacific Ocean to the eastern Andean foreland, covering parts of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. Numerous scientists from various kinds of geoscientific disciplines participate in the SFB 267 project 'Deformation Processes in the Andes'. Four different institutions, the 'Freie Universität Berlin', the 'Technische Universität Berlin', the 'Universität Potsdam' and the 'GeoForschungsZentrum, Potsdam' are involved.
Numerous investigations carried out in SFB 267 coordinated research projects, and the availability of data from other institutions and agencies has resulted in a wealth of data from various disciplines of geosciences, including geology, geophysics and geochemistry. To allow a comprehensive survey of the data available, and to facilitate direct access to information, this data catalogue was set up, and is available on the Web since 1996.
This data base guide has been established, organized and maintained by Sabine Mohr during the years 1995 to April 1999.
For further information, please refer to: Mohr, S. & Götze, H.-J. (1997): The "Central Andes GIS", a comprehensive database for studies of deformation processes in the Central Andes, EOS Transactions, Electronical supplement, http://earth.agu.org/eos_elec/96350e.html, (American Geophysical Union).
How to use this Guide
General Structure
This database guide was drafted to render the possibility of checking easily for the desired information. Data are first subdivided according to geographical location, then to scientific subject. There are separate chapters for global data and for the project area (Central Andean data, chapter 3.2).
The description of each available data set starts with a header containing information about global location and type of data. You will then find more detailed information like the exact dataset content, data structure, file size and format, data source and manipulation as well as a short example of the original data file.
The description ends with the name of person to contact for further information or possible data access.
If you are interested in some specific data, please contact the responsible person.
Explanation of Data Formats and Abbreviations
Point data describe information that pertains to a single geographical location, such as a gravity station, observation of metamorphic grade, a strike- and- dip measurement, or the location of a well log.
Polyline data describe a set of points that have a common property, such as shot points in a seismic survey or the outcrop of a fault. Polyline data are also appropriate for storing polygons. For example, the outline of a pluton represented on a geological map can be approximated by a polygon, with polyline data used to store latitudes and longitudes of the vertices of the polygon.
Grid data contain information on a rectangular grid. Examples of gridded information include topography and potential field data, and often the original data that have been interpolated onto a grid for computer contouring.
At this time two formats are used for the SFB 267 database: 'GGT data format' and 'GIS ARC/INFO format'.
The underlying philosophy of GGT (Global Geoscience Transect) formats is to maximize their flexibility, so that any type of geoscience data can be stored, and to simplify data entry for users who create digital data files. The format for digital GGT data can include one- , two- , and three- dimensional data. This format allows input into different application programs, and can easily be used for plotting (program ISOMAP, S. Schmidt) or interpretation.
Appendix A1 defines the format of GGT data files, and gives examples.
However, the input files used by GIS software ARC/INFO are slightly different. Files have to be split into geographical and attribute information. The datasets of both files are related to each other by an identification number.
You will find an explanation for the GIS ARC/INFO format in Appendix A2.
Both data formats can easily be transferred.
Generally we attempt to store geoscientific data from all working groups in our system and would highly appreciate your cooperation. Please, if you have any problems with the preparation of your data for the database, do not hesitate to ask for support.