Notes on data creation

For upload of data to the arkL database, and download of data from it, there is a standard spreadsheet format which arranges the data in a (hopefully) clear and user-friendly manner. To view and download data in this format go the dataset view page. Download is as csv (comma separated values) file, these files can be opened in any spreadsheet or database program.

The process of preparing data for upload is illustrated here by the example of entering data for a dataset documenting the lithostrat of a region, specifically the Late Jurassic of the Dorset Coast.

Terminology - the word column is used both for column as displayed on TSC and for columns of data in the database and in the uploaded spreadsheet. To lessen confusion we refer here to columns as displayed TSC as columns and to columns on the spreadsheet as cols - since a TSC column will often be defined by several spreadsheet cols.

Steps

  1. Define dataset (on dataset view page). This a label for the whole set of data - e.g. strat - Dorset . It will include metadata on references, notes on limitations etc. The title can easily be changed to allow for extension so can be fairly specific e.g Dorset Late Jur Strat can be changed to Dorset Jurassic strat later without any problems. Use dataset_view page and mode new.
  2. Define columns (on column view page)- typically there will be a lithology column of the individual beds and a formation column, possibly with an intermediate member column and/or a higher series column. The member, formation, and series columns are regular intervals columns. The beds column is a lithology column. Use column_view page and mode new.
  3. Create spreadsheet tabulating the beds,formations etc. Each TSC column will be represented by one block of cols on the spreadsheet. The block will always start with an intervalx col providing a unique name for the interval. The block may also contain a interval_notes col and for lithostrat cols it will contain a lithology col.
  4. Add an eventx col and the event details (usually many fields). The eventx col gives the unique event name. For lithology columns it will be the base or top of a formation, member or bed - see example below. Other fields may inlcude
    1. event_type (for special event types such as first and last occurrences)
    2. event_display (dotted or dashed), if event placement is uncertain
    3. notes_2020* - these should describe / explai / documentn the event placement.
    4. age2020* - the age which is given for the event in the source. This should be the same as the calculated age
  5. Add age placement col - the event age can be specified in one of 4 ways -
    1. As a preset_age - from radiometric dating or astrochronology
    2. As a position within an interval - with cols pup (proportion up 0->1.0) and within_intv e.g 0.25 up in the Albian. NB This is proportion up in time not in depth.
    3. As an age relative to another event - with cols offset (in Ma) and offset_from_event
    4. As proportion up between two events - with cols pub (proportion up 0->1.0) hev (higher event) and lev (lower event).
  6. Upload the data - use upload_data page. Start in demo mode and check until it all looks right, then change to run mode (table will need to be uploaded again). Set added abvs if any any interval names are likley to be duplicates of ones in other datasets. The upload program does quite a lot of work, parsing data into the right columns in the intervals and events sheets and setting the id columns.
  7. In populate page select the uploaded dataset and set the age window to include all the data then run Reset age data & Run queries. Debug the data using the linsk from the populate page.
2020 - the TSC notes and TSC age fields are labeled as age2020 and notes_2020 since they give data from GTS2020, but this field could be applied to data from other sources.

Specimen table

Formation member bed events
sort intervalx intervalx intervalx lithology eventx age2020 pup within_intv pub hev lev equation event_display notes_2020 sequence info compilation_notesE
111 top top top top Kimmeridge Clay Fm. 154.0648955 1 Pictonia densicostata BAsZ =BA85 Top of Densicostata (for now)
112 Kimmeridge Clay Fm. Kimmeridge Clay Fm. bed 1 Claystone base Kimmeridge Clay Fm. 154.5997213 0.25 Pictonia densicostata BAsZ =BA94-0.25*(BA94-BA85) LITHOLOGY= Shelly, silty clay, & sandy shelly clay; bored micritic pebbles [Wright, 2003]. Base = 25% up in Densicostata s.z. of Evoluta (maybe)
114 Gap Gap gap top Sandsfoot Fm. 155.7814755 0.3 Ringsteadia evoluta BAsZ =BA99-0.3*(BA99-BA96) BASE= 30% up in Evoluta s.z.; Upper evoluta missing, plus lower densiconstata (boreal) Major SB Major SB
116 Osmington Mill Ironstone Mbr. Osmington Mill Ironstone Mbr. bed 1 Banded Iron base Osmington Mill Ironstone Mbr. 155.9248296 0.2 Ringsteadia evoluta BAsZ =BA99-0.2*(BA99-BA96) LITHOLOGY=Silty clay with abundant limonitic iron ooids, phospathized nodules; Siderite cement and encrusted oysters. Base = 20% up in Evoluta s.z.
117 Ringstead Clay Mbr. Ringstead Clay Mbr. bed 1 Shallow-marine marl base Ringstead Clay Mbr. 156.3853024 0.65 Ringsteadia pseudocordata BAsZ =BA102-0.65*(BA102-BA99) LITHOLOGY=3.5 m thick gray-calcareous clays; fossiliferous clays with abundant ferruginous concretions towards the top. Base = 65% up in Pseudocordata s.z. (maybe) Siderite indicates a protected environment, restricted circulation, maybe mfs
118 Sandsfoot Fm. Sandsfoot Grit Mbr. Sandsfoot Grit Mbr. bed 1 Sandstone base Sandsfoot Fm. 156.8297329 0.5 Ringsteadia pseudoyo BAsZ =BA106-0.5*(BA106-BA102) LITHOLOGY=Poorly cemented/biouturbated fine-medium grain sandstone.Towards the top sandstone/relict cross beds. BASE = middle of Pseudoyo s.z.
119 Gap Gap gap top Trigonia Clavellata Beds Fm. 157.6402519 0.05 Perisphinctes variocostatus BAsZ =BA111-0.05*(BA111-BA108) BASE = Maybe 5% up in Variocostatus S.Z.; Major gap Major SB Major gap Major SB
120 Sandsfoot Clay Mbr. Sandsfoot Clay Mbr. bed 1 Continental marl base Sandsfoot Clay Mbr. 157.7518819 0.7 Perisphinctes cautisnigrae BAsZ =BA119-0.7*(BA119-BA111) LITHOLOGY=Calcareous silty clay. BASE = 70% up in Caustisnigrae s.z. Early high stand if estuary, or late high stand if back barrier] Ogg et al., 2010 unpublished
122 Red Beds Mbr. Red bed s Mbr. bed 1 Oolitic limestone base Red Beds Mbr. 157.9007219 0.2 Perisphinctes cautisnigrae BAsZ =BA119-0.2*(BA119-BA111) LITHOLOGY=Shelly oolite/siderite limestone/few ooids/shell debris BASE = 20% up in Caustisnigrae s.z. Shallow marine HST Ogg et al., 2010 unpublished
123 Clay Band Mbr. Clay Band Mbr. bed 1 Claystone base Clay Band Mbr. 157.9304899 0.1 Perisphinctes cautisnigrae BAsZ =BA119-0.1*(BA119-BA111) LITHOLOGY=clay with sporadic ooids. BASE = 10% up in Caustisnigrae s.z. Extended shallow ‘HST’ with shoals oolites then back-barrier at top Ogg et al., 2010 unpublished
124 Chief Shell Beds Mbr. Chief Shell bed s Mbr. bed 1 Reef limestone base Chief Shell Beds Mbr. 157.9992579 0.7 Perisphinctes nunningtonense BAsZ =BA124-0.7*(BA124-BA119) LITHOLOGY=‘Shelly Limestone’=Argillaceous oolites with articulated & unarticulated bivalve shells . BASE = 70% up in Nunningtonense
125 Trigonia Clavellata Beds Fm. Sandy Block Mbr. Sandy Block Mbr. bed 1 Sandy limestone base Trigonia Clavellata Beds Fm. 158.0707579 0.15 Perisphinctes nunningtonense BAsZ =BA124-0.15*(BA124-BA119) LITHOLOGY=Sandy limestone.Sparsely oolitic micritic limestone bioturbated separated by argillaceous partings. BASE = 15% up in Nunningtonense TST onset=flooding at base. But, then not really ‘HST’ or TST but stable shallow, no ‘MFS’ can be easily assigned TST onset=flooding at base. But, then not really ‘HST’ or TST but stable shallow, no ‘MFS’ can be easily assigned
127 Gap Gap gap top Osmington Oolite Fm. 158.2202579 0.5 Perisphinctes parandieri BAsZ =BA129-0.5*(BA129-BA124) BASE= about 50% up in Parandiera -- Upper Tenuiserratum zone missing (SubBoreal) Major SB Major SB
129 Nodular Rubble Mbr. Nodular Rubble Mbr. bed 1 Oolitic limestone base Nodular Rubble Mbr. 158.3502579 0 Perisphinctes parandieri BAsZ =BA129 LITHOLOGY=Bioturbated Nodular biomicrites, spicular limestone, ooids and ammonites. BASE = base of Parndieri
130 Gap gap top Shortlake Mbr. 158.4127579 0.75 Perisphinctes antecedens BAsZ =BA134-0.75*BB134 BASE= 75% up in antecedens subzone. Missing equivalent of upper arkeli (Tethyan) s.z. Major SB Major SB
131 Shortlake Mbr. bed 5 Clayey limestone base Shortlake Mbr. bed 5 158.4315079 0.9 Shortlake Mbr. =BX135-0.9*(BX135-BX130) LITHOLOGY= Bed 10 = Calcareous Claystones. 90% up in Shortlake.
132 Shortlake Mbr. bed 4 Oolitic limestone base Shortlake Mbr. bed 4 158.4502579 0.8 Shortlake Mbr. =BX135-0.8*(BX135-BX130) LITHOLOGY= [bed 9] Crossbedded oosparites& oomicrites. 80% up in Fm.
133 Shortlake Mbr. bed 3 Continental marl base Shortlake Mbr. bed 3 158.5065079 0.5 Shortlake Mbr. =BX135-0.5*(BX135-BX130) LITHOLOGY= [bed 8 ]Calcareous Claystones. BASE = 50% up in Fm.
134 Shortlake Mbr. bed 2 Oolitic limestone base Shortlake Mbr. bed 2 158.5721329 0.15 Shortlake Mbr. =BX135-0.15*(BX135-BX130) LITHOLOGY= . [bed 7] = Crossbedded oosparites& oomicrites. 15% up in Fm.
135 Osmington Oolite Fm. Shortlake Mbr. Shortlake Mbr. bed 1 Oolitic limestone base Osmington Oolite Fm. 158.6002579 0 Perisphinctes antecedens BAsZ =BA134 LITHOLOGY= . [bed 6] = Crossbedded oosparites& oomicrites. Base of Antecedens s.z.
136 Gap Gap gap top Red Cliff Fm. 158.6252579 0.8 base Perisphinctes antecedens BAsZ base Perisphinctes plicatilis BAsZ =BA141-0.8*(BA141-BA134) BASE= 80% up in Plicatilis Minor SB; Small oscilation
137 Upton Mbr. bed 4 Limestone base Upton Mbr. bed 4 158.6577579 0.6 Upton Mbr. =BX140-0.6*(BX140-BX136) LITHOLOGY= [main bed 5] Nodular micritic limestones. 60% up in Fm.
138 Upton Mbr. bed 3 Claystone base Upton Mbr. bed 3 158.6740079 0.4 Upton Mbr. =BX140-0.4*(BX140-BX136) LITHOLOGY= [lower bed 5] clay. 40% up in Fm. indeterminate polarity gap
139 Upton Mbr. bed 2 Oolitic limestone base Upton Mbr. bed 2 158.6861954 0.25 Upton Mbr. =BX140-0.25*(BX140-BX136) LITHOLOGY= [bed 4] Nodular micritic limestones. 25% up in Fm
140 Upton Mbr. Upton Mbr. bed 1 Sandy limestone base Upton Mbr. 158.7065079 0.15 base Perisphinctes antecedens BAsZ base Perisphinctes plicatilis BAsZ =BA141-0.15*(BA141-BA134) LITHOLOGY= [bed 3,2,1] Sandy micrites. Argilaceus limestones, mudstones. BASE = 15% up in Plicatilis s.z. At the base TST onset=flooding in TSC and in arkLdatabase the plicatilis subzone is not differentiated from the vertebrale subzone, but it is in this scheme, hence field_if_not_intvx pub-hev-lev instead of pup and within_intv
142 Gap gap top Bencliff Grit Mbr. 158.7440079 0.95 base Perisphinctes plicatilis BAsZ base Cardioceras vertebrale BAsZ =BA147-0.95*(BA147-BA141) BASE= 95% up in Vertebrale LST LST in TSC and in arkLdatabase the plicatilis subzone is not differentiated from the vertebrale subzone, but it is in this scheme, hence use of pub-hev-lev instead of pup and within_intv
144 Bencliff Grit Mbr. Bencliff Grit Mbr. bed 1 Fine-grained sandstone base Bencliff Grit Mbr. 158.8002579 0.8 base Perisphinctes plicatilis BAsZ base Cardioceras vertebrale BAsZ =BA147-0.8*(BA147-BA141) LITHOLOGY= Fine-grained well sorted sandstone, separated by mudstone drapes. BASE = 80% up in Vertebrale MAJOR SB at base MAJOR SB at base in TSC and in arkLdatabase the plicatilis subzone is not differentiated from the vertebrale subzone, but it is in this scheme, hence use of pub-hev-lev instead of pup and within_intv
145 Nothe Clay Mbr. bed 2 Continental marl base Nothe Clay Mbr. bed 2 158.8565079 0.65 base Perisphinctes plicatilis BAsZ base Cardioceras vertebrale BAsZ =BA147-0.65*(BA147-BA141) LITHOLOGY= Upper clay-rich interval (note sampled). Main = Gray mudstone with limestone bands (micritic & sideritic). BASE = 65% up in Vertebrale presumed late HST; Sampling gap only? HST; Sampling gap only? in TSC and in arkLdatabase the plicatilis subzone is not differentiated from the vertebrale subzone, but it is in this scheme, hence use of pub-hev-lev instead of pup and within_intv
146 Nothe Clay Mbr. Nothe Clay Mbr. bed 1 Shallow-marine marl base Nothe Clay Mbr. 158.8940079 0.55 base Perisphinctes plicatilis BAsZ base Cardioceras vertebrale BAsZ =BA147-0.55*(BA147-BA141) LITHOLOGY= Gray mudstone with limestone bands (micritic & sideritic). BASE = 35% up in Vertebrale MFS with Central deepening at the base MFS with Central deepening at the base in TSC and in arkLdatabase the plicatilis subzone is not differentiated from the vertebrale subzone, but it is in this scheme, hence use of pub-hev-lev instead of pup and within_intv
147 Preston Grit Mbr. Preston Grit Mbr. bed 1 Sandy limestone base Preston Grit Mbr. 159.0065079 0.25 base Perisphinctes plicatilis BAsZ base Cardioceras vertebrale BAsZ =BA147-0.25*(BA147-BA141) LITHOLOGY= sandy limestone, argillaceous sand with ooids and abundant fossils. BASE = 25% up in Vertebrale TST TST onset=flooding at base. But, then not really ‘HST’ or TST but stable shallow, no ‘MFS’ can be easily assigned in TSC and in arkLdatabase the plicatilis subzone is not differentiated from the vertebrale subzone, but it is in this scheme, hence use of pub-hev-lev instead of pup and within_intv
148 Gap gap top Nothe Grit Mbr. 159.2136579 0.3 Cardioceras cordatum BAsZ =BA151-0.3*(BA151-BA147) BASE= 30% up in Cordatum S.Z. LST (short biostratigraphic gap) LST (short biostratigraphic gap)
149 Red Cliff Fm. Nothe Grit Mbr. Nothe Grit Mbr. bed 1 Clayey sandstone base Red Cliff Fm. 159.2622579 0 Cardioceras cordatum BAsZ =BA151 LITHOLOGY= Clayey-Sandstone with calcite nodules, pervasively bioturbated. BASE = Base of Cordatum s.z. Major SB at base Major SB at base
151 Bowleaze Clays Mbr. bed 3 Sandy claystone base Bowleaze Clays Mbr. bed 3 159.4121079 0.9 CostCord-R1 =AE152-0.9*AF152 dashed LITHOLOGY= carbonaceous sandy clays; Interbeded gray-clays. BASE = 90% up in Reversed interval; assigned as Card-Cost-R1 (DASH)
152 Bowleaze Clays Mbr. bed 2 Banded Iron base Bowleaze Clays Mbr. bed 2 159.4202079 0.8 CostCord-R1 =AE152-0.8*AF152 dashed LITHOLOGY= Red Nodular bed BASE = 80% up in Reversed interval; assigned as Card-Cost-R1 (DASH) MFS MFS
153 Bowleaze Clays Mbr. Bowleaze Clays Mbr. bed 1 Sandy claystone base Bowleaze Clays Mbr. 159.5052579 0 Cardioceras costicardia BasZ =BA152 dashed LITHOLOGY= carbonaceous sandy clays; Interbeded gray-clays. BASE = base of Costicardian (DASH)
154 Jordan Cliff Clays Mbr. Jordan Cliff Clays Mbr. bed 1 Claystone base Jordan Cliff Clays Mbr. 159.6552579 0 Cardioceras bukowski BAsZ =BA158 LITHOLOGY= Gray claystones, with minor silt percentage epifauna, pyritic burrows; BASE = base of Bukowski (??)
155 Upper Oxford Clay Fm. Furzedown Clays Mbr. Furzedown Clays Mbr. bed 1 Claystone base Upper Oxford Clay Fm. 162.090488 0.25 Quenstedtoceras lamberti BAsZ =BA191-0.25*(BA191-BA187) LITHOLOGY=Silty clay; BASE = 25% up in Lamberti SZ SB possible at top (but sampling gaps) SB possible at top (but sampling gaps)
Notes
  1. Bed names - all intervals need unique names. So the beds are numbered from the bottom up in each member.
  2. Event names - events are given names using the base of the most significant interval - so the last event is names "base Upper Oxford Clay Fm" rather than "base Furzedown Clays Mbr." or "base Furzedown Clays Mbr. bed 1". Events at the base of a gap are named as top of the most significant interval.
  3. Age determination - the table includes several ways of defining ages: most events which define formations and members are dated by their position within ammonite zones. Most beds are dated by their position within members. Some events have their ages based on subzones which are not inlcuded inthe zonation within TSc, for these the position up between (pub) higher (hev) and lower (lev) events is used.
  4. Block row - the top row defines the blocks of content - the exact labels in this row are not important but it is needed for the upload program to work. [NB The downloaded files do not have this as a separate row]. Fields row - the second row in the table are thefiedld titles - these do need to exactly correspond to fields in the database. On the upload page you can select mode 'list fields' to see all the fields.
  5. Top data row - the top of the last intervals in the table needs to be set so there is a separate row for that Equation and sort - these columns are used for copies of the row numbers and formulatext from the source spreadsheet (in this case the JUR Macro sheet of the Jurassic workbook). They are optional, but often useful for debugging data after it is uploaded.

Screenshot of uploaded table

Screenshot

Screenshot of output

NB The Kimmedirdge Clay is not shown here Screenshot