StraboSpot data system for structural geology

Abstract

StraboSpot is a geologic data system that allows researchers to digitally collect, store, and share both field and laboratory data. StraboSpot is based on how geologists actually work to collect field data; although initially developed for the structural geology research community, the approach is easily extensible to other disciplines. The data system uses two main concepts to organize data: spots and tags. A spot is any observation that characterizes a specific area, a concept applicable at any spatial scale from regional to microscopic. Spots are related in a purely spatial manner, and consequently, one spot can enclose multiple other spots that themselves contain other spots. In contrast, tags provide conceptual grouping of spots, allowing linkages between spots that are independent of their spatial position. The StraboSpot data system uses a graph database, rather than a relational database approach, to increase flexibility and to track geologically complex relationships. StraboSpot operates on two different platform types: (1) a field-based application that runs on iOS and Android mobile devices, which can function in either Internet-connected or disconnected environments; and (2) a web application that runs only in Internet-connected settings. We are presently engaged in incorporating microstructural data into StraboSpot, as well as expanding to include additional field-based (sedimentology, petrology) and lab-based (experimental rock deformation) data. The StraboSpot database will be linked to other existing and future databases in order to provide integration with other digital efforts in the geological sciences and allow researchers to do types of science that were not possible without easy access to digital data.

Subduction Polarity in Ancient Arcs: A Call to Integrate Geology and Geophysics to Decipher the Mesozoic Tectonic History of the Northern Cordillera of North America

“…One approach is to assemble working groups with broad knowledge that tackle a problem by integrating information from a wide range of approaches and attempt to arrive at a solution that honors all observations. Alternatively, new insights might arise from technological advances (e.g., Walker et al, 2019) that require abandoning existing hypotheses and exploring fundamentally different interpretations.…”

Using Mobile Technologies to Enhance Accessibility and Inclusion in Field-Based Learning

“…Flyover Country was used on the PEFO field trip to bring geologic maps and information into the field as reference materials. Many of these field mapping and data collection applications can now be accomplished with the StraboSpot app and database system (Walker et al, 2019). However, that was not available to us during the period that we conducted the project exercises.…”

“…Mobile devices provide new methods of communication and interaction in field settings and are now commonly used for field data collection and even data analyses (Pavlis et al, 2010;Collins, 2015;France et al, 2015;Allmendinger et al, 2017;Walker et al, 2019). In addition, mobile technologies can enhance real-time communication in the field, facilitating a level of interaction and collaboration that was previously unattainable.…”

Geospatial Management and Analysis of Microstructural Data from San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) Core Samples

“…Previous work demonstrates the viability of GIS for multi-source data management and integration [10][11][12], while others have utilized built-in remote sensing tools to extract spatial information from microscopic image data [13][14][15][16][17][18]. Additional studies have developed methods for linking and reorientation of petrographic thin sections to realworld geographic coordinates [4,19,20]. In this respect, the work of Linzmeier et al [21] is particularly informative, creating a framework for spatial registration of multi-source microstructural data from within a single thin section in arbitrary, two-dimensional space.…”