Preliminary database of Quaternary vents in Alaska

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Frequently anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title: Preliminary database of Quaternary vents in Alaska
Abstract:
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) uses an informal set of names for about 140 'volcanoes.' Some names refer to large, complex volcanic centers, while others indicate only a specific cone. This publication expands the list of 140 named volcanoes to include all volcanic vents where magma has reached the surface over the past 2.6 million years. This database of all known (published, or unpublished with permission) Quaternary volcanic vents was developed to better describe the nature and character of Quaternary volcanism in Alaska and specifically to aid in the discussion of spatial and temporal patterns of Alaska volcanism. This list is a preliminary starting point, and we hope that it is updated and expanded by the addition of newly discovered subaerial and submarine vents. We invite the community of volcanologists who study Alaska volcanism to help us develop this database by adding new vents as they are discovered and by improving the geologic descriptions of known vents as new information becomes available.
Supplemental_Information:
The DGGS metadata standard extends the FGDC standard to include elements that are required to facilitate our internal data management. These elements, referred to as "layers," group and describe files that have intrinsic logical or topological relationships and correspond to subdirectories within the data distribution package. The metadata layer provides an FGDC metadata file and may include other documentation files. Attribute information for each data layer is described in this metadata file under the "Entity_and_Attribute_Information" section. Data layer contents:
border:    A polygon shapefile that provides generalized outlines of the geographic areas noted within this report. Historic volcanic vents occur in many places throughout Alaska. The border file is a multipart polygon that roughly outlines groups of adjacent vents. The vent groups are based on a calculated buffer of geographic proximity. This file is intended provide a broad overview of where vents occur throughout the state and should not be used for any other purpose. 
AK_Q_vents:    A table that lists basic information about each vent; the accompanying manuscript provides a comprehensive list and description of each field. 
full_citation:    A table of citation information for each reference used in vent reference list; the accompanying manuscript provides a comprehensive list and description of each field in this table. 
vent_reference:    A table that joins the list of vents to the applicable references in the "full_citation" table. The accompanying manuscript provides a comprehensive list and description of each field in this table.
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Cameron, C.E., and Nye, C.J., 2014, Preliminary database of Quaternary vents in Alaska: Miscellaneous Publication MP 153, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 11 p.

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -179.990768
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: 179.998208
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 66.505900
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 51.374900

  3. What does it look like?

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Calendar_Date: 2014
    Currentness_Reference: ground condition

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: report,digital data

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a point data set.

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is World Geodetic System of 1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS 84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    mp153-border.shp
    A polygon shapefile that provides generalized outlines of the geographic areas noted within this report. Historic volcanic vents occur in many places throughout Alaska. The border file is a multipart polygon that roughly outlines groups of adjacent vents. The vent groups are based on a calculated buffer of geographic proximity. This file is intended provide a broad overview of where vents occur throughout the state and should not be used for any other purpose. (Source: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys)

    mp153-AK_Q_vents.csv
    A table that lists basic information about each vent; the accompanying manuscript provides a comprehensive list and description of each field. (Source: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys)

    mp153-full_citation.csv
    A table of citation information for each reference used in vent reference list; the accompanying manuscript provides a comprehensive list and description of each field in this table. (Source: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys)

    mp153-vent_reference.csv
    A table that joins the list of vents to the applicable references in the "full_citation" table. The accompanying manuscript provides a comprehensive list and description of each field in this table. (Source: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys)


Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    The authors thank Janet Schaefer (ADGGS/AVO), Charlie Bacon (USGS), Tina Neal (USGS/AVO), Michelle Coombs (USGS/AVO), Brian Jicha (University of Wisconsin Madison), Gene Yogodzinski (University of South Carolina), and Pete Stelling (Western Washington University) for providing unpublished vent data and/or review of volcanic centers.

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    GIS Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK 99709-3707
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    dggsgis@alaska.gov

    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays


Why was the data set created?

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) uses an informal set of names for about 140 'volcanoes'. Some names refer to large, complex volcanic centers, while others indicate only a specific cone. This publication expands the list of 140 volcanoes to include all volcanic vents where magma has reached the surface over the past 2.6 million years, and currently comprises 1,187 entries. This database of all known (published, or unpublished with permission) Quaternary volcanic vents was developed to better describe the nature and character of Quaternary volcanism in Alaska and specifically to aid in the discussion of spatial and temporal patterns of Alaska volcanism. This list is a preliminary starting point, and we hope that it is updated and expanded by the addition of newly discovered subaerial and submarine vents. We invite the community of volcanologists who study Alaska volcanism to help us develop this database by adding new vents as they are discovered and by improving the geologic descriptions of known vents as new information becomes available.


How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 2014 (process 1 of 1)
    Compilation - We compiled a database of information about all known (published, or unpublished with permission) Quaternary volcanic vents in Alaska. The references used to compile the database are provided as a component of this publication.

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?


How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    This database attempts to note all the locations where magma is known to have reached the surface in the last 2.6 million years. Given the spotty coverage of geologic mapping, geophysical studies, geochemical analyses, and geochronology in Alaska, this list is incomplete. Vent locations come from published and unpublished sources, and are subject to limitations of mapping scale and various mapping priorities, as well as problems such as erosion, glaciation, or destruction of the vent. An additional uncertainty arises around eroded domes or plugs-whether or not many of these features ever had a vent that made it to the surface is often unknown. Largely because of unavailable data, this list also does not adequately address the problems of trying to determine locations for vents that are now obscured or obliterated (during caldera formation, perhaps). There are also complications in determining the criteria that might be used to either group or separate vents. The accompanying report includes discussion of issues that complicate classification of Alaska's volcanic vents. The information in this publication release has been reviewed for consistency and completeness by several geologists who are familiar with the subject matter.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    In some case the location coordinate listed in spreadsheets may provide a higher degree of location precision than is appropriate. To determine degree of uncertainty associated with the location of each vent users should review the 'Loc_conf' value in the spreadsheet and the accompanying report.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    This list is a preliminary starting point, and we hope that it is updated and expanded by the addition of newly discovered subaerial and submarine vents. We invite the community of volcanologists who study Alaska volcanism to help us develop this database by adding new vents as they are discovered and by improving the geologic descriptions of known vents as new information becomes available.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    not applicable


How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints:
This report, map, and/or dataset is available directly from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (see contact information below).
Use_Constraints:
Any hard copies or published datasets utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, the user is obligated to describe the types of modifications the user has made. The user specifically agrees not to misrepresent these datasets, nor to imply that changes made by the user were approved by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK 99709-3707
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov

    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (<http://www.dggs.alaska.gov>) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    MP 153

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    The State of Alaska makes no expressed or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.

  4. How can I download or order the data?


Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 02-Sep-2014
Metadata author:
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Metadata Manager
3354 College Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709-3707
USA

(907)451-5020 (voice)

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:


Generated by mp version 2.9.21 on Tue Sep 2 09:59:00 2014