A web-accessible visualizer for paleontologic data
Sponsor Information:

Sue Priest

Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey
2255 N. Gemini Dr.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-556-7148
spriest@usgs.gov

Project Overview:

The USGS archives a vast amount of paleontologic data from USGS projects throughout the country. In an attempt to make this data more accessible and tie it more closely to the geologic data it coincides with, we would like to produce a web-based interface that enables researchers to efficiently access and use the data in multiple forms.

We would like to use an existing map and dataset from Oregon for the prototype. The Roseburg, Oregon 30’ x 60’ geologic map is already published as USGS Open-File Report 00-376 and can be seen on the web at: http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/open-file/of00-376/. The map area covers the southeastern margin of the Oregon Coast Range and its tectonic boundary with Mesozoic terranes of the Klamath Mountains. There is a micro-paleontologic dataset for this area residing in Microsoft Access.

The successful result of this project will be an official USGS publication, with the members of the project team listed as co-authors. This project potentially serves to lay the groundwork towards developing a enterprise level delivery system for paleo data for the entire nation.
Prerequisites:

Required: Website development, database design and management, integration of existing software programs and customized subroutines.

Helpful: Knowledge of image processing and GIS
Equipment Requirements:

Required: Access to a software development station is required. Copies of software licensed to USGS will be provided as needed. A loan of or access to computer equipment, if needed, is a possibility.
Deliverables:

The student team will be expected to propose and deliver:

  • Web template with geologic base and capable of calling up paleo data/reports
  • Automated mapping of sample locations
  • Paleo report generation
  • Search capability on items such as stratigraphic unit, age, lat/long, etc.
  • The database may have additional data added at a later date.
  • Roseburg paleo-data would ultimately be published giving the Capstone team a formal publication.

Electronic delivery of all documentation in PDF, HTML, or Microsoft Word is preferred.