Earth System Informatics and Data Discovery

Advancing Earth system science through data delivery and tools

Scientists in the Earth System Informatics and Data Discovery section at Oak Ridge National Laboratory advance Earth system science by developing and deploying innovative computational methods, data analytics techniques and sophisticated data management tools. The group advances next-generation computational and data analytics that enable scientists to understand ecosystems and their representation in numerical models. Through these advanced capabilities, scientists are better equipped to understand complex ecosystems and to accurately represent these systems within numerical models.

Central to the team's work is the seamless integration of varied data streams and the development of user-friendly data products and services. Research and technical experts within the section collaborate closely, ensuring that data management systems are intuitive, effective and tailored to meet the needs of environmental scientists. This comprehensive approach helps to facilitate groundbreaking discoveries, making complex environmental datasets accessible and actionable to researchers around the world.

An essential component of the section's capabilities is the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Data Center. The ARM Data Center provides state-of-the-art computing resources along with extensive observational and modeling data related to atmospheric phenomena. Scientists worldwide utilize these resources to improve their understanding of atmospheric processes, weather patterns, and environmental change. The ARM Data Center is part of the broader ARM user facility, a Department of Energy Office of Science user facility involving nine DOE national laboratories, enabling expansive, high-impact research opportunities.

Additionally, the Earth System Informatics and Data Discovery Section hosts the ORNL Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC), supported by NASA. The ORNL DAAC is a key component of NASA’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS), responsible for managing and providing open access to vital Earth science data. ORNL DAAC specifically focuses on biogeochemical and ecological datasets generated by NASA’s Earth science missions. The center manages data archiving, product development, data distribution, and robust user support, ensuring scientists have reliable and straightforward access to critical Earth system data.