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Record Search Query: ServiceParameters>REFERENCE AND INFORMATION SERVICES>IDENTIFICATION/CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS

British Geological Survey (BGS) Geoscience Vocabularies
Entry ID: BGS_vocabularies
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Summary
Abstract: British Geological Survey (BGS) vocabularies are lists of standardized terms covering a range of geoscience topics.

Standardized sets of terms — also known as 'dictionaries' or 'controlled vocabularies' — within datasets reduces the ambiguity associated with data mark-up and also enables records to be interpreted by computers. These dictionaries, or controlled vocabularies, control the terms we use in describing, and supporting the description of, scientific and other observations. This also opens up more possibilities for the datasets to be used in computer-aided manipulation, distribution and long term reuse.

In certain areas, it is not always possible or agreeable for data providers to use the same terms. In such cases, controlled vocabularies can be used as a medium to which data centres can map their equivalent terms.

The BGS has a number of geoscience vocabularies:

Rock Classification Scheme
Lexicon of Named Rock Units
ages of geochronological intervals used to attribute feature:
lithology
lithostratigraphy
names of mapped rock units
names of maps

Vocabulary structure:

Our controlled vocabularies, or dictionaries, generally contain the following information for each term as a minimum:

Code — a permanent identifier for the term, designed predominantly for computer storage rather than human readability

Translation — a concise text string representing the term in human-readable form where space is limited (a short concise description, suitable also for drop down lists of applications)

Description — a full description of what is meant by the term

Our vocabularies are version controlled and we keep a record of all changes.

Caveats:

BGS vocabularies are required to have the above information as the minimum for each term, but complex or specialised dictionaries especially in the area of geoscience may have extra attributes that help qualify the term.

The preferred attribute name of the permanent identifier is 'CODE', but certain dictionaries may contain software specific names. In all cases the attribute that constitutes the permanent identifier is defined. The preferred attribute name for the full description is 'DESCRIPTION', but some dictionaries may contain software or context specific descriptive fields.

[Summary provided by the British Geological Survey.]
Related URL
Link: GET SERVICE
Description: Vocabularies — browse and download:

Vocabularies —standardized terms covering a range of geoscience topics. Browse our vocabulary dictionaries and their terms. Download the dictionaries as MS Excel files.

Link: GET SERVICE
Description: Vocabulary web service:

BGS vocabularies as a RESTful web service.
Providing programmatic access to our dictionaries and their terms.
Service Citation
Originators: British Geological Survey (BGS)
Title: British Geological Survey (BGS) Geoscience Vocabularies
Provider: British Geological Survey (BGS)
URL: http://www.bgs.ac.uk/data/vocabularies/home.html
Service Keywords
REFERENCE AND INFORMATION SERVICES >IDENTIFICATION/CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS   [Definition]
Science Keywords
LAND SURFACE >GEOMORPHOLOGY >COASTAL LANDFORMS/PROCESSES   [Definition]
LAND SURFACE >GEOMORPHOLOGY >EOLIAN LANDFORMS/PROCESSES   [Definition]
LAND SURFACE >GEOMORPHOLOGY >FLUVIAL LANDFORMS/PROCESSES   [Definition]
LAND SURFACE >GEOMORPHOLOGY >GLACIAL LANDFORMS/PROCESSES   [Definition]
LAND SURFACE >GEOMORPHOLOGY >KARST LANDFORMS/PROCESSES   [Definition]
LAND SURFACE >GEOMORPHOLOGY >TECTONIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES   [Definition]
LAND SURFACE >LAND USE/LAND COVER >LAND COVER   [Definition]
LAND SURFACE >TOPOGRAPHY >LANDFORMS   [Definition]
SOLID EARTH >GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES >COASTAL LANDFORMS   [Definition]
SOLID EARTH >GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES >AEOLIAN LANDFORMS   [Definition]
SOLID EARTH >GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES >FLUVIAL LANDFORMS   [Definition]
SOLID EARTH >GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES >GLACIAL LANDFORMS   [Definition]
SOLID EARTH >GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES >KARST LANDFORMS   [Definition]
SOLID EARTH >GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES >TECTONIC LANDFORMS   [Definition]
SOLID EARTH >ROCKS/MINERALS/CRYSTALS   [Definition]
ISO Topic Category
ELEVATION
GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION
IMAGERY/BASE MAPS/EARTH COVER
Use Constraints
The British Geological Survey (BGS) promotes the use of these classification systems but ask users to read our terms of use when reproducing BGS materials. See http://www.bgs.ac.uk/about/copyright/home.html
Keywords
Geoscience
Geology
Vocabularies
Classification System
Service Provider
British Geological Survey

Service Provider Personnel
Name: BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Phone: 44-131-667-1000
Fax: 44-131-667-1877
Email: ukeqs at bgs.ac.uk
Contact Address:
MURCHISON HOUSE
WEST MAINS ROAD
 City: EDINBURGH
Postal Code: EH9 3LA
Country: SCOTLAND
Distribution Media
Distribution_Media: Online
Fees: No fees
Personnel
BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT
Phone: 44-131-667-1000
Fax: 44-131-667-1877
Email: ukeqs at bgs.ac.uk
Contact Address:
MURCHISON HOUSE
WEST MAINS ROAD
City: EDINBURGH
Postal Code: EH9 3LA
Country: SCOTLAND

TYLER B. STEVENS
Role: SERF AUTHOR
Phone: (301) 614-6898
Fax: 301-614-5268
Email: Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov
Contact Address:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Global Change Master Directory
City: Greenbelt
Province or State: MD
Postal Code: 20771
Country: USA
Creation and Review Dates
SERF Creation Date: 2011-09-19
SERF Last Revision Date: 2011-09-20
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