Global Oceanographic Data Archaeology and Rescue Project
Encyclopedia
The Global Oceanographic Data Archaeology and Rescue Project, or GODAR Project was established to increase the volume of historical oceanographic data available to climate change and other researchers. The project attempts to locate ocean
profile and plankton
data sets not yet in digital
form, digitizes these data
, and ensures their submission to national data center
s and the World Data Center
system (WDC). In addition, data on electronic media that are at risk of loss due to media degradation are also candidates for rescue.
(NODC) and WDC presented an initial proposal for the GODAR Project at the 14th Session of the Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) where it was approved. The proposal was subsequently endorsed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
(IOC)--the parent body of the IODE--at the 17th IOC Assembly held in March 1993. At that time, it was further agreed that the WDC for Oceanography in Silver Spring, Maryland
, would lead this project.
All profile and plankton data acquired as part of the GODAR project were included in World Ocean Database
2001 (WOD01), which was released in March 2002.
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
profile and plankton
Plankton
Plankton are any drifting organisms that inhabit the pelagic zone of oceans, seas, or bodies of fresh water. That is, plankton are defined by their ecological niche rather than phylogenetic or taxonomic classification...
data sets not yet in digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
form, digitizes these data
Data
The term data refers to qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which...
, and ensures their submission to national data center
Data center
A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems...
s and the World Data Center
World Data Center
The World Data Center system was created to archive and distribute data collected from the observational programs of the 1957-1958 International Geophysical Year. Originally established in the United States, Europe, Soviet Union, and Japan, the WDC system has since expanded to other countries and...
system (WDC). In addition, data on electronic media that are at risk of loss due to media degradation are also candidates for rescue.
History
In December 1992, the National Oceanographic Data CenterNational Oceanographic Data Center
The National Oceanographic Data Center is one of the national environmental data centers operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The main NODC facility is located in Silver Spring, Maryland and is made up of five divisions...
(NODC) and WDC presented an initial proposal for the GODAR Project at the 14th Session of the Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) where it was approved. The proposal was subsequently endorsed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission was established by resolution 2.31 adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO. It first met in Paris at Unesco Headquarters from 19 to 27 October 1961. Initially, 40 States became members of the Commission.The IOC is composed of its Member States ,...
(IOC)--the parent body of the IODE--at the 17th IOC Assembly held in March 1993. At that time, it was further agreed that the WDC for Oceanography in Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver Spring is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It had a population of 71,452 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth most populous place in Maryland, after Baltimore, Columbia, and Germantown.The urbanized, oldest, and...
, would lead this project.
All profile and plankton data acquired as part of the GODAR project were included in World Ocean Database
World Ocean Database Project
The World Ocean Database Project, or WOD, is a project established by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission . The project leader is Sydney Levitus who is director of the International Council for Science World Data Center for Oceanography, Silver Spring...
2001 (WOD01), which was released in March 2002.