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Figure 10. Earth Science Infor

mation Network (ESIN).

support scientific research. As an indication of the rapid proliferation of computerized data bases, the 1987 Directory of Online Databases listed a total of 3,369 data bases accessible to the public through national and international telecommunications networks. The number of data bases listed has increased eightfold since the Directory was first published in 1980.

The U.S. Geological Survey itself has experienced a steady increase in the number of data bases designed and maintained by its employees to promote earth science research. In addition, many of the organizations that conduct joint research projects with the USGS are experiencing a rapid growth in data bases of earth science information. Sophisticated geographic information systems (GIS) are being designed to collect, manage, and analyze large volumes of spatial data. Through the use of GIS technology, scientists are able to merge geologic, hydrologic, and cartographic data sets to study complex interrelationships and to solve vexing earth science problems. Before the tool of GIS technology can be used to its fullest extent, however, there must first be a means to locate the existing data sets that are needed. There also must be an efficient way to locate and access the data bases to reduce costs of geoscience investigations when possible.

Both the current trend in proliferating data bases and the emerging spatial-data analytical technologies, such as geographic information systems, have fostered a growing need for information-management

assist users with the complex protocols for accessing data bases far and wide through telecommunications networks. The Survey has developed its own gateway systemthe Earth Science Information Network (fig. 10)-which gives users easy access to seven major systems and data bases maintained by the USGS. These data bases and systems are Earth Science Data Directory (inventory of data bases), Cartographic Catalog (inventory of cartographic products), Digital Cartographic Data Base (digital elevation models and digital line graphs), Geographic Names Information System (cultural or physical geographic names), National Water Data Exchange (NAWDEX) (water data indexing service), News (news releases issued by the USGS Public Affairs Office), and U.S. Geological Survey Library System (automated card catalog).

In addition to the Earth Science Information Network, the USGS maintains a computer software package that interfaces commercial information-retrieval systems. The Computer Systems Information Network allows users to access seven major information-retrieval systems containing more than 250 data bases. The Computer Systems Information Network is an intelligent interface, one that is designed to translate a user's request for bibliographic, factual/numeric, or chemical identification information into the appropriate computer language for searching complex informationretrieval systems with a minimum of effort-and frustration-for the user.

USGS information scientists are continuing this research on methods for promoting easy access to complex, distributed data bases and information systems through the use of intelligent gateways like the Computer Systems Information Network.

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Administrative and Facilities

Support

Highlights

Facilities Support of
Mission Operations

For a scientific organization, such as the U.S. Geological Survey, the adequacy and availability of facilities are critical to the type and extent of research that can be conducted. It is difficult, for example, for hydrologic, geologic, and mapping field work teams to operate effectively when based in congested downtown locations. USGS reliance on large blocks of laboratory and other special-purpose space also creates special demands on facility support and program budgets. As a consequence, ongoing management efforts have focused on matching facilities to program needs within constrained budgets. Plans are for the USGS to assume greater facility management responsibilities over the next several years in order to contain costs and improve responsiveness to earth-science program needs.

The USGS has begun a number of actions to consolidate and improve facilities in concert with the General Services Administration (GSA), which provides over ninety percent of USGS-occupied space.

Central Region Headquarters, Denver, Colorado

Major consolidations at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood during the past 2 years have resulted in over 30 separate transactions that, including space acquisitions and releases, accounted for a shift of over 1 million square feet of space. Consolidations of geologic core library and map and publications distribution operations into the Center and the long-awaited relocation of Geologic Division laboratories

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a delegation of authority from GSA, the USGS will assume direct management of facility operations and maintenance for GSA-owned buildings on the Center, and is pursuing other options with GSA to improve support services for these unique special-purpose scientific facilities.

National Center, Reston, Virginia

In August 1987, the USGS assumed responsibility from GSA for operation and maintenance of the National Center. This delegation from GSA involved the transfer of 19 employees and a budget of $4.2 million for operation and maintenance of the facility, which has over 1 million square feet of building space.

Major Facilities
Improvements

Continuing studies have been underway at various USGS centers to provide the best and most efficient facilities in which to carry out the current and future goals and objectives of the Survey's mission. Included in these efforts are programs to make working conditions safe and

New Hawaiian Volcano Observatory building, dedicated January 10, 1987

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