Designing a scientific database query server using the World Wide Web: the example of Tephrabase
Anthony Newton, Bruce Gittings, Neil Stuart · Innovations in GIS · 1997
Tephra layers are proving to be an invaluable tool in palaeoenvironmental studies. The data produced by such research, however, can be difficult to handle and disseminate. Tephrabase is a database of tephra layers found in Iceland and northwest Europe. Queries are put to the database via HTML forms, the data retrieved are displayed on the users&s; browser and can be downloaded to their local computer. Spatial aspects of the data can be displayed via a link to the Xerox PARC Map Viewer. Future developments of the database will include the incorporation of a more sophisticated GIS interface and the linking to other palaeoenvironmental databases and models. The use of the Internet as a means of disseminating scientific knowledge will become more important.