STEPIGES

STEPIGES is a standardized framework for interoperable exchange of geoscience data. STEPIGES stands for Stepwise Temporal Encoding Protocol Interchange Geoscience Exchange Standards. It provides a structured data model designed to capture field observations, laboratory measurements, samples, and associated metadata along with time stamps and linked media such as images and spectra.

Its data model is hierarchical, with elements for events or observations, samples, and measurements. Each node supports metadata, provenance, quality flags, and links to multimedia assets. STEPIGES emphasizes stepwise temporal encoding to preserve chronology and enable traceability from raw data to derived products. The standard includes schemas and reference implementations in multiple programming languages and supports common serializations such as JSON and XML.

Development and governance of STEPIGES have been led by a consortium of universities, national laboratories, and industry partners, beginning in the early 2010s. The project operates under an open, community-driven model, with open-source reference implementations and regular input from practitioners. Adoption has grown in several national geoscience programs and research initiatives aiming to harmonize metadata across projects and improve data sharing. Integrations with geographic information systems and data repositories have facilitated workflows that require consistent observational records and provenance.

Limitations and reception: STEPIGES is valued for interoperability but competes with other standards and formats, including ISO 19115, NetCDF, and discipline-specific field-book conventions. Adoption is uneven across disciplines, and effective use often depends on disciplined metadata practices and alignment with broader data-management workflows.

See also: ISO 19115, NetCDF, GeoJSON, Open Geospatial Consortium, Field book formats.