Refinement and Support of the Antarctic Geologic Database

该奖项的目的是支持南极地质数据库（AGD）的进一步发展，这是一个由美国地质学界成员在南极洲收集的地质标本的在线数据库，并为有丢失危险的南极地质收藏品提供救援。该奖项由美国国家科学基金会极地项目办公室颁发，将为作为数据库服务器的计算机系统提供资金，用于支付与改进、更新和运行数据库相关的人员费用，以及用于抢救处于危险中的藏品。AGD的原型是作为探索性研究小额赠款的一部分而设计的。这个初始版本现在已经上线并可供使用（http://polestar.mps）。俄亥俄州state.edu/AGDcgibin/Search_agd1.pm)。它由15名不同专业的地质学家进行了测试，目前正在征求南极地质界的意见。与社区的持续互动将确保开发一个有用的数据库。该数据库允许用户按地理区域、地质年龄、岩石类型、地层或单元、化石或矿物含量、收集目的、收集者和收集时间搜索岩石样本。它告诉用户已经进行了哪些分析，这些结果在哪里发布，以及任何可能未发布的结果及其位置和可用性。它可以提供各种各样的描述性信息，包括实地观察的轶事。最重要的是，数据库记录了岩石当前存储的位置，以及收集者或联系人的姓名和地址。

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 It informs the user what analyses have been carried out, where those results are published, and also any possible unpublished results and their location and availability.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.