ScienceBase

ScienceBase is a web-based information management and data sharing platform developed and maintained by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It provides a centralized environment for organizing, documenting, storing, and disseminating scientific data, metadata, and related materials generated by USGS scientists and partner organizations.

Items in ScienceBase are described with metadata, have persistent identifiers, can be versioned, and can be assigned access controls. The platform supports data discovery through a searchable catalog, provides programmatic access via APIs, and offers data citation features to help users cite data properly in publications.

Content types include datasets, GIS files, maps, imagery, reports, project pages, and other research outputs. Users can create metadata records tailored to standards used in the geosciences and link related items, such as publications and data files.

ScienceBase items can be publicly accessible or restricted to approved users. It provides landing pages for each item, export options, and integration with other USGS systems. The platform supports data management planning, data reuse, and collaborative research by providing a trusted, citable home for data and metadata.

As a core component of USGS science infrastructure, ScienceBase facilitates data sharing and preservation across programs and with partner institutions, promoting interoperability and long-term access to geoscience information. It serves as a centralized resource for publishing, discovering, and citing USGS data and related materials.