BGS MEDIN Data Archive Centre
The Marine Environment Data and Information Network (MEDIN) is a partnership of UK organisations committed to improving access to marine data. The BGS are the accredited Data Archive Centre (DAC) for geology and geophysics and are active participants in MEDIN.
MEDIN aims
- secure long-term management of marine datasets by setting up a network of Data Archive Centres (DACs)
- improved access to authoritative marine data held in this network, through a central discovery metadata portal
- an agreed set of common standards for metadata, data format and content maintained and supported by partners
- guidelines, contractual clauses and software tools to support standards and best practice data management
MEDIN DAC Network
The current network of MEDIN accredited DACs include:
- geophysical and geological data from the BGS,
- water column oceanographic data from the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC)
- bathymetry data from the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
- flora, fauna and habitat data from the Data Archive on Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH)
- marine meteorological (metocean) data from the Met Office (MET)
It is planned to widen coverage of the DAC network to include marine fisheries, marine historic environment and socioeconomic data.
BGS MEDIN DAC Data
The BGS (with partner DACs) have archived 28 primarily geological and geophysical survey datasets to date (July 2012), eighteen Marine Aggregate Sustainability Levy Fund (MALSF), three Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), and seven Wessex Archaeology, and will be archiving further datasets.
The BGS also collate information on Oil and Gas Industry Site Surveys. Information on these data are available in the MEDIN Data Discovery Portal.
The BGS is working towards providing access to the data online (except for some large volume datasets) — the current method to request data is to contact the BGS Marine Data Enquiry team.
MEDIN Data Discovery Portal
The MEDIN portal is a metadata discovery service providing users with a single point of access to a well-balanced, authoritative marine metadata catalogue.
Through initial discovery on the portal, users should be able to find out where the underlying data is available from. The BGS-held data listed on the portal provide links to the BGS Offshore Geoindex, which will soon have detailed view and potential download.
How to Archive Data with the BGS MEDIN DAC
Data are submitted by prior mutual agreement between the BGS and the submitting party.
The first stage is to provide a catalogue of the data being offered for archiving. The BGS will then assess the contents of the catalogue and, if necessary, enter into discussion to clarify the information in it.
Depending on the volume, type, media and quality of the data, BGS may quote a cost for archiving the data. The agreement will include a schedule for delivery to BGS.
More information on data submission.
Contact
For more information contact Enquiries
