GEODESC

Overview

The GEODESC application tool set was designed and built to support geological core description and micropaleontological data capture. While originally designed for use onboard the JOIDES Resolution (JR), the software can also be used for re-description of scientific ocean drilling collections at the GCR. GEODESC is only available for DSDP/ODP/IODP (Deep Sea Drilling Project/Ocean Drilling Program/Integrated Ocean Drilling Program/International Ocean Discovery Program) materials.

The GEODESC user applications are backed by a relational database, which organizes data into tables of rows and columns, and can be run on all major web browsers without the need to install software. The final products of the GEODESC description process are structured tab-delimited text files that can be visualized and further processed using other programs.

Access to GEODESC data and applications requires valid credentials, which are specific to each project.

Note: Descriptive data collection requires a visit to the GCR. Technicians cannot collect this data for investigators.

Measurement Time

Core and micropaleontological description time varies greatly depending on lithology and the degree of detail a describer needs. This may vary from ~20 minutes to several hours for a single core.

Software Description

Core description scientists and paleontologists work with three separate user applications:

Template Manager: The Template Manager (TM) application is used to prepare the project templates a team will use to collect descriptive data. This includes copying and modifying templates from the Template Catalog. Modifications generally include the addition of observable columns or editing attributes such as data entry validation. New templates can be generated if the catalog is insufficient.
Data Capture: The Data Capture (DC) application is a spreadsheet tool used to capture core description and micropaleontological observations. The spreadsheet looks and feels similar to generic spreadsheet programs, however, it is highly customized for effective and efficient collaborative workflows as customary in scientific ocean drilling.
Data Access: The Data Access (DA) application is a portal to download data generated in GEODESC. This includes descriptive data files by hole, metadata files by project, and current catalog contents used in templates. Users sign in with valid credentials to access their data.

Data Generated

Data files:

Descriptive data files (TSV): data files contain the observations made for a hole based on a specific template. The list of observations varies by project. The files are created and stored automatically by the GEODESC Data Capture application whenever an observer publishes data to their project.
Descriptive metadata files (TSV): Metadata files contain the template configuration used to record observations in the data capture worksheets.

Data Example

Graph of GEODESC data from Hole U1603B of IODP Expedition 400. — GEODESC data from Hole U1603B of IODP Expedition 400 in the northwest Greenland glaciated margin. GEODESC components shown include lithology, core disturbance type and intensity, bioturbation index, organic constituents, sedimentary structures, lower contact shape and definition, and pebble count incorporated with additional instrument data (core image, magnetic susceptibility, natural gamma radiation (NGR), and color reflectance) to generate a visual core description (VCD) sheet.¹
*Note: The GCR cannot generate VCDs. This image is not a direct product of GEODESC.*

Procedures & Manuals

References

¹Knutz, P.C., Jennings, A.E., Childress, L.B., and the Expedition 400 Scientists, 2025. NW Greenland Glaciated Margin. Proceedings of the International Ocean Discovery Program, 400: College Station, TX (International Ocean Discovery Program). https://doi.org/10.14379/iodp.proc.400.2025