Refinement and Support of the Antarctic Geologic Database

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The purpose of this award is to support further development the Antarctic Geologic Database (AGD), an on-line database for geologic specimens collected in Antarctica by members of the U.S. geologic community, and to provide for the rescue of Antarctic geologic collections that are at risk of being lost. This award, from the Office of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation, provides funds for a computer system to act as the server for the database, for personnel costs associated with improving, updating, and running the database, and for rescue of at-risk collections. A prototype of the AGD was designed as part of a Small Grant for Exploratory Research. This initial version is now on- line and available for use (http://polestar.mps.ohio state.edu/AGDcgibin/Search_agd1.pm). It was tested by 15 geologists with varying specialties, and comments from the Antarctic geologic community have now been solicited. Continuing interaction with the community will ensure development of a useful database. The database allows a user to search for rock samples by geographic area, geologic age, rock type, formation or unit, fossil or mineral content, collection purpose, and by whom and when the collection was made. It informs the user what analyses have been carried out, where those results are published, and also any possible unpublished results and their location and availability. It can provide a great variety of descriptive information, including anecdotal field observations. Most importantly, the Database records where the rocks are currently stored, and the name and address of the collector or contact person.