DDE Standards Task Group

Overview

The Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) is the first IUGS-recognized big science program, designed to facilitate the digital transformation of geological sciences. This collaborative task group, operating under the Commission for the Management and Application of Geoscience Information (CGI), is responsible for the development, implementation, and harmonization of geoscience information standards essential for the DDE Knowledge System.

Our primary mission is to ensure that deep-time geological data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). By establishing a unified framework for data and knowledge, the Work Group enables scientists to link disparate datasets across geographic and temporal boundaries, fostering new insights into Earth’s evolution.

Strategic Objectives

• Standardization: Developing robust metadata and content standards for global geoscience datasets.
• Knowledge Engineering: Building structured knowledge systems (ontologies and vocabularies) that allow machines to interpret geological concepts.
• Quality Assurance: Establishing rigorous peer-review protocols to ensure the scientific integrity of the DDE platform.

Key Work Group Outputs

The following documents represent the foundational standards and procedural frameworks developed by the Work Group to support the DDE ecosystem:

1. Formal Review Procedures for DDE Knowledge System

Document Reference: 2021-05-25

To maintain the highest scientific standards, the Work Group established a formal governance and review process. This document outlines the criteria for the validation of knowledge nodes, ensuring that all information integrated into the DDE Knowledge System undergoes a peer-review process comparable to academic publishing.

2. Geoscience Information Metadata Standard (DS01-2023)

Document Reference: 2023-11

Effective data discovery requires consistent documentation. The DS01-2023 standard provides a comprehensive metadata schema specifically tailored for deep-time data. It bridges the gap between general geographic metadata standards (such as ISO 19115) and the specialized requirements of geological time-scales and lithological classification.

3. Petroleum Geology Standard Knowledge System V1.0 (KS01-2025)

Document Reference: 2025-11

The KS01-2025 represents a major milestone in domain-specific standardization. This knowledge system provides a standardized vocabulary and conceptual framework for petroleum geology. By unifying terminology related to sedimentary basins, reservoirs, and petroleum systems, it enables seamless data integration for energy resource research and carbon sequestration studies.

Collaboration and Participation

The DDE Work Group remains an open and collaborative body. We invite geoscience professionals, data scientists, and stratigraphic experts to contribute to the ongoing development of these standards. Our work ensures that the next generation of geoscience research is built upon a foundation of digital excellence and international cooperation.

For more information on the DDE program, visit: https://www.iugs.org/dde