Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992

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Metadata:

Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Paula J. Helm
Originator: Carol S. Breed
Originator: Richard Tigges
Originator: Patricia A. Garcia
Publication_Date: 1995
Title:
Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992
Edition: 1
Series_Information:
Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 95-78
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Flagstaff, Arizona
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Online_Linkage: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-078/
Description:
Abstract:
This data set contains meteorological data files pertaining to the Gold Spring Geomet research site. Documentation files and data-accessing display software are also included. The meteorological data are wind speed, peak gust, wind direction, precipitation, air temperature, soil temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity. Data from the monitoring station are voluminous; 14 observations from each station are made as often as ten times per hour, totalling more than a million observations per station per year.
Purpose:
The primary purpose of this data set is to provide high resolution meteorological data and related surface geological and vegetation data for natural (e.g., uncultivated) desert sites where wind is or has been a major erosive or depositional force. The objectives are twofold: (1) to provide the detailed field measurements needed to carry out quantitative studies of wind as an agent of surface geologic change; and (2) to establish a baseline for defining the " normal" range of climatic conditions that can be expected to occur on a decadal time scale, in areas considered representative of the major American deserts. The Gold Spring locality was selected to represent that part of the Great Basin Desert that extends into northeastern Arizona. The long- term goal for acquiring and analyzing the Desert Winds Project data is to use them to address problems of land resource degradation by wind, whether resulting from climatic variation (aridification) or human activities (desertification), or both.
Supplemental_Information:
Beginning in 1979, the USGS has been monitoring meteorological and surface processes in several desert areas of the Southwestern United States. These sophisticated monitoring stations combine observations of local weather and soil conditions, reporting as often as every six minutes, to provide a comprehensive, detailed, long-term understanding of the processes affecting climate change in arid regions. Because they combine geological and meteorological observations, the monitoring stations have been called " GEOMET" stations. Five such stations have been installed and maintained, as indicated in the following table: 
Station       State       Latitude     Longitude   Open
---------------------------------------------------------
Gold Spring   Arizona     35.779167   -111.05500   791027
Desert Wells  Arizona     33.702778   -113.81111   810109
Yuma 1        Arizona     32.530556   -114.51250   820208
Yuma 2        Arizona     32.530556   -114.51250   880521
Owens Lake    California  36.355000   -117.94444   920519
Jornada       New Mexico  32.575000   -106.78750   860918
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 19791027
Ending_Date: 19921231
Currentness_Reference:
The stations used by the Desert Winds project are designed to provide field-based physical data of sufficient resolution to support scientific studies of surface (mostly eolian) processes under monitored climatic conditions. Because they collect both geological and meteorological data, we refer to them as Geomet stations. Located in remote areas, the stations are automated and solar powered. They are unattended on a daily basis, but they do require scheduled servicing and repair: weekly cleaning and checking by a custodian and periodic servicing (including calibration) and repair, generally at 6-month intervals, by a skilled technician. At 1- or 2-hour intervals each station transmits digital data from its array of sensors to the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). From GOES, the data are relayed to (and stored at) the receiving station of the National Environmental Satellite Data Information Service (NESDIS) at Wallops Island, Virginia; NESDIS is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. From Wallops Island, the data are transmitted via land lines to the U.S. Geological Survey computers at project headquarters in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Irregular

Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -111.05500
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -111.05500
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 35.779167
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 35.779167

Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: meteorology
Theme_Keyword: wind
Theme_Keyword: precipitation (atmospheric)
Theme_Keyword: air temperature
Theme_Keyword: soil temperature
Theme_Keyword: time series datasets
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Geologic Map Database Catalog themes, augmented
Theme_Keyword: 0200 - Meteorology
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Categories
Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Augmented FIPS 10-4 and FIPS 6-4
Place_Keyword: f04005 = Coconino
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: none
Place_Keyword: Arizona
Place_Keyword: NE 1/4 of Section 4 T27N R12E
Temporal:
Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Temporal_Keyword: Present
Access_Constraints: none
Use_Constraints: none

Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Person: Patricia A. Garcia
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
Mail Stop 9580
2255 N. Gemini Drive
City: Flagstaff
State_or_Province: AZ
Postal_Code: 86001
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (520) 556-7246
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (520) 556-7090
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pgarcia@iflag2.wr.usgs.gov

Native_Data_Set_Environment:
This data set is provided on a single CD-ROM in ISO 9660 format. It was developed on a Sun SPARCstation 2 running SunOS 4.1.3 with OpenWindows version 3 and Sun C 2.01.
Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Quantitative attribute accuracy assessments are based on the nominal precision of the instruments used to measure the meteorological parameters.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 5.5
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Degrees or 9.2% error in measured Wind Direction from 19791027 through 19900808.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 2.5 to 5.0
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Wind Speed from 19791027 through 19900808.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 2.5 to 5.0
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Peak Gust from 19791027 through 19900808.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 0.01
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Error in inches of measured Precipitation from 19791027 through 19900808.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 1 to 2
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Soil and Air Temperature from 19791027 through 19900808.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 3 to 5
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Relative Humidity from 19791027 through 19900808.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 1 to 1.4
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Barometric Pressure from 19791027 through 19900808.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 5
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Wind Direction from 19900809 through 19921231.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 5
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Wind Speed from 19900809 through 19921231.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 5
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Peak Gust from 19900809 through 19921231.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 0.3
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Precipitation from 19900809 through 19921231.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 0.2
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Degrees error in measured Air Temperature when true value lies between 0 and 60 degrees C, from 19900809 through 19921231.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 0.6
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Degrees C error in measured Air Temperature when true value lies between -50 and 0 degrees C, from 19900809 through 19921231.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 2
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Relative Humidity when true value lies between 0 and 80%, from 19900809 through 19921231.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 0.1
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Degrees C error in measured Soil Temperature when true value lies between -20 and 50 degrees C, from 19900809 through 19921231.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 0.6
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Degrees C error in measured Soil Temperature when true value lies between -50 and -20 degrees C, from 19900809 through 19921231.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:
Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 0.3
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Percent error in measured Barometric Pressure from 19900809 through 19921231.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
The deposition or erosion of the sand cover causes a change in depth of the soil temperature probe over time. The table below shows the dates when the probe was checked, at what depth it was found, and the depth to which it was reset. 
date  time event
79300 0024 placed at 12.7 cm depth
84046 1255 reset from depth of 30 cm to 12.7 cm
88061 1331 reset from depth of 27.9 cm to 12.7 cm
88089 1219 tip uncovered; reset to 12.7 cm depth
88264 1207 tip uncovered; reset to 12.7 cm depth
89081 1231 probe placed at new depth of 5 cm
90235 1601 probe moved from a depth of 9 cm to 4 cm
91164 1225 10cm depth sensor added to station
91290 1225 20cm depth sensor added to station
The LaBarge Humidity sensor records numbers greater than 100 percent because of a sensor calibration error. Other instrument changes from LaBarge sensors to Handar sensors are listed below: 
date  time sensor refitted
90221 0001 Barometric Pressure
90221 0001 Precipitation
90270 1631 Wind direction
90221 1419 Wind speed, Peak gust (6.1 m)
91052 1437 Air temperature (1.2 m)
91052 1525 Humidity
If the station is down, precipitation is not recorded, and therefore, not added to the cumulative total. If the station is operating but transmissions are not received (missing), the precipitation sensor is recording data at the site. Once the tranmission problem is fixed and data are received, the cumulative precipitation value recorded is correct (although day and time associated with the rainfall is lost).
Completeness_Report:
Verification and correction of transmission errors and first-order verification of some of the sensor values for accuracy and reliability are performed as the data are processed each day.
However, the data have not been error-checked on a file-by-file basis at this time. Also, because different sensor data are used by different collaborators, some sensor data have not been verified by the USGS staff of the Desert Winds Project. Please contact the DWP personnel if any problems are encountered with this data.
The following facts about the data should be noted:
Loss of data due to transmission errors. Occasionally, one or more hours of data are not received because of transmission or other problems (see techinfo.doc). Data are not interpolated to fill these lost data slots, and the time interval is not included in the data file. Therefore, some daily data files have less than 24 hours of data.
Barometric pressure. The elevation of the Gold Spring Geomet site is relatively high (1667 m), and the LaBarge barometric pressure sensor is not specifically calibrated for this site. The following algorithm was used to convert Gold Spring barometric pressure values to inches of mercury at 0 m elevation (sea level) for the dates Oct 27, 1979 through Aug 8, 1990. BP = BP + 5.5138
The following table shows the dates and times when sensors were inoperative or for some other reason not reporting data. 
beginning  ending
date  time date  time inoperative sensors
79323 0000 79323 2359 all
79300 0024 79333 1024 Humidity
80118 0000 80119 2359 all
80122 0000 80122 2359 all
80170 0000 80176 2359 all
80285 0000 80287 2359 all
80108 0000 81108 2359 all
81158 0000 81159 2359 all
81171 0000 81171 2359 all
81176 0731 81188 0825 all
81197 0931 81239 1225 all
83176 1331 83179 1525 all
83359 0000 83362 2359 all
83179 0001 83196 1231 Wind direction
83363 0001 83365 2355 Wind direction
84108 1231 84158 1125 all
84001 0000 84005 2359 Wind direction
85228 1131 85276 1155 all
85312 0000 85322 2359 all
85324 0000 85337 2359 all
86313 0531 86324 1225 all
86148 1443 86325 1225 Barometric pressure
87270 0000 87270 2359 all
89248 1819 89324 1525 Precipitation
89355 1537 89365 2355 all
90001 0001 90087 1201 all
90270 1725 90365 2355 Humidity
91361 0000 91362 2359 all
91001 0001 91052 1519 Humidity
92345 0000 92365 2359 Wind speed and peak gust
Lineage:
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The original Gold Spring station was installed in 1979. This was a basic station, equipped with standard sensors to record observations of a set of near-surface phenomena: average and peak-gust wind speeds, wind direction, precipitation, relative humidity, barometric pressure, air temperature, and soil temperature.
Process_Date: 19791027

Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Gold Spring site was retrofitted to superstation status in 1990. The superstation has a much larger and more varied complement of sensors than the basic station.
The current Geomet station at Gold Spring consists of two free-standing towers, a solar power system, a data- collection platform (DCP) with a radio transmitter, and nineteen sensors that provide twenty-two parameters.
Process_Date: 19900809

Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Data collected from the automated sensors at each Geomet site must be directed through a series of steps within the DCP before becoming recognizable and usable for scientific research. These steps are directed by a software program within the DCP. Generally, one software "channel" for each sensor controls the program actions required to monitor it. However, for the wind-speed sensors, two software channels are needed for each hardware sensor; one channel monitors average wind speed while the other monitors peak gusts. The user programs each channel by specifying the monitoring schedule, the data-processing algorithms, the location of the hardware sensor input to be monitored, and the format in which the data are to be transmitted. Once programmed, the DCP continuously samples data from each sensor on the programmed schedule. The original data signals are produced by the sensors in various forms: some sensors produce analog voltages, others vary a resistance, and still others produce electrical pulses. Each signal is converted in real time into digital form by interface circuit cards. Each channel's data-processing algorithm then converts this digital data into its final form (average, peak, temperature, count). Lastly, the data are stored in the DCP memory, where they remain until transmitted on the GOES radio.
The GOES satellites are in geostationary orbit above the Earth and are nominally stationed 23,000 miles (37,000 km) above the equator. The two available for our use are GOES East, at approximately long 75 deg. W., and GOES West, at approximately long 135 deg. W. At present, the Gold Spring Geomet station is assigned a channel and time slot on GOES West.
Once an hour the DCP program collects Geomet data from memory and formats them so that they can be transmitted in pseudo-binary form, a compression code that enables transmission within the time frame allotted by NESDIS. Transmission to GOES is in the 401.7- to 402.0-Mhz band. GOES West receives this signal and retransmits it as an 1694.5-MHz S-band signal to a receiving station at Wallops Island, Virginia. At Wallops Island, the Data Collection System Automatic Processing Subsystem sorts and stores the data in user files. High-speed dedicated or low-speed dial-up lines transfer the data to Desert Winds project headquarters in Flagstaff, where software performs a series of checks to document missing or erroneous data. Finally, software converts the pseudo-binary code to ASCII, separates it by station and time, formats, and stores the data on disks and tapes for analysis by scientists. Detailed coding of the data for quality, changes in sensors, and gaps due to NESDIS or Geomet station malfunctions is necessary to prepare the data for publication.
Process_Date: 19791027

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Entity point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 1
Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: GEOMET station data record
Entity_Type_Definition:
The set of all measurements reported from a GEOMET station having the same temporal coordinate.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: wind speed at 6.1m
Attribute_Definition:
Velocity of the wind at the indicated height above the ground at the station location.
Attribute_Definition_Source:
The anemometer consists of three cups mounted on a rotor shaft that rotates on instrument-quality stainless steel bearings. A magnet on the rotor shaft moves near a reed switch (basic station) or a Hall Effect transducer (superstation), which detects the field of the rotating magnet. This detected field produces a pulse rate in proportion to the wind velocity. A single anemometer is mounted to the top of the DCP tower mast at the basic station. Three anemometers are mounted on the wind tower at each superstation, at 1.2, 2.7, and 6.1 m above the ground.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 150
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: miles per hour
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19791027
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
Attribute_Value_Accuracy: 5
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation:
Attribute value accuracy given is the maximum expected deviation of the measured value from the true value, expressed as a percentage of the true value.
Operations of the anemometers are checked each time they are rebuilt. In 1993 we began calibration in a wind tunnel, which produces a calibration constant for each instrument. This constant is entered into the DCP program upon installation of the instrument. When placed on a tower in the field, anemometers are considered to be working properly if the daily average of anemometer readings at each of three heights plots as a straight line on a log-height, linear average- wind-speed graph. This field method, however, only insures consistent operations between anemometers and is not a true calibration against a known standard. At present, anomalies in the wind-speed data are common, and it is difficult to distinguish signal from noise.
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency:
30 minutes 19791027 through 19800424 6 minutes 19800425 through 19921231
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: wind speed at 2.7m and 1.2m
Attribute_Definition:
Velocity of the wind at the indicated height above the ground at the station location.
Attribute_Definition_Source:
The anemometer consists of three cups mounted on a rotor shaft that rotates on instrument-quality stainless steel bearings. A magnet on the rotor shaft moves near a reed switch (basic station) or a Hall Effect transducer (superstation), which detects the field of the rotating magnet. This detected field produces a pulse rate in proportion to the wind velocity. A single anemometer is mounted to the top of the DCP tower mast at the basic station. Three anemometers are mounted on the wind tower at each superstation, at 1.2, 2.7, and 6.1 m above the ground.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 150
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: miles per hour
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -77
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -77 indicates a measurement that would have been made had a sensor that was later added to the station been installed at the time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19900809
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
Attribute_Value_Accuracy: 5
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation:
Attribute value accuracy given is the maximum expected deviation of the measured value from the true value, expressed as a percentage of the true value.
Operations of the anemometers are checked each time they are rebuilt. In 1993 we began calibration in a wind tunnel, which produces a calibration constant for each instrument. This constant is entered into the DCP program upon installation of the instrument. When placed on a tower in the field, anemometers are considered to be working properly if the daily average of anemometer readings at each of three heights plots as a straight line on a log-height, linear average- wind-speed graph. This field method, however, only insures consistent operations between anemometers and is not a true calibration against a known standard. At present, anomalies in the wind-speed data are common, and it is difficult to distinguish signal from noise.
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency:
30 minutes 19791027 through 19800424 6 minutes 19800425 through 19921231
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: peak gust at 6.1m
Attribute_Definition:
Maximum value of wind speed at the given height attained since the previous reported value.
Attribute_Definition_Source: surmise
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 150
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: miles per hour
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19791027
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency:
30 minutes 19791027 through 19800424 6 minutes 19800425 through 19921231
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: peak gust at 1.2m
Attribute_Definition:
Maximum value of wind speed at the given height attained since the previous reported value.
Attribute_Definition_Source: surmise
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 150
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: miles per hour
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -77
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -77 indicates a measurement that would have been made had a sensor that was later added to the station been installed at the time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19900809
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency: 6 minutes 19900809 through 19921231

Attribute:
Attribute_Label: wind direction
Attribute_Definition:
Direction from which the wind comes, with zero values indicating true north and positive values indicating angular distance from true north clockwise (i.e. 90 degrees is due east).
Attribute_Definition_Source:
This instrument is a heavy-duty aluminum and stainless steel wind vane that is coupled to a precision micro- torque potentiometer, which has low rotational torque. The wire-wound potentiometer produces an output resistance that varies in proportion to the wind direction. The wind direction vane is mounted on the DCP tower at the top of the 6.1-m mast.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 359.9
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: degrees
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19791027
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
Attribute_Value_Accuracy: 5.5
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation:
For measurements made from 19791027 through 19900808 the attribute value accuracy is given as within 5.5 degrees of the true value or 9.2 percent of the true value, whichever is greater. For measurements made from 19900809 through 19921231 the accuracy is 5 percent of the true value.
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency:
30 minutes 19791027 through 19800424 6 minutes 19800425 through 19921231
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: precipitation
Attribute_Definition: Cumulative yearly precipitation at the station site.
Attribute_Definition_Source:
The precipitation sensor is a funnel with a 20-cm-diameter orifice to collect and direct rain to a tipping bucket mechanism. The funnel and mechanism are housed in a metal cylinder that is secured to a corner of the DCP tower, 1.8m above the ground. Coupled to the tipping bucket is a magnetically activated reed switch, which momentarily closes each time the bucket tips; 0.25 mm of collected water causes the bucket to tip. The water drains out the bottom of the gauge and a second bucket moves into position to collect more water; the procedure is repeated until no more is available for collection. Switch closures are counted by an interface circuit in the DCP. This hardware count is periodically added to a cumulative count maintained by DCP software.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 99.9
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: inches
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19791027
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
Attribute_Value_Accuracy: 0.01
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation:
Attribute value accuracy given indicates the maximum expected deviation of the measured value from the true value, in inches, for the basic station (installed from 19791027 through 19900808). For the period 19900809 through 19921231, the maximum expected error is 0.3 percent of the true value.
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency:
30 minutes 19791027 through 19800424 6 minutes 19800425 through 19900808 12 minutes 19900809 through 19921231
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: air temperature at 6.1m and at 1.2m
Attribute_Definition:
Temperature of ambient air at elevations 6.1 meters or 1.2 meters above the base of the station.
Attribute_Definition_Source:
The air temperature sensor is a solid-state precision linear thermistor placed in a compact cylindrical assembly. The resistance of the thermistor is inversely proportional to the temperature. The resistance is measured by a voltage divider circuit, and the result is linearized by a look-up-table routine. A convection- aspirated shield around the thermistor reduces the effect of solar radiation on air temperature and protects the thermistor from precipitation. This instrument is mounted either to the DCP tower at the 1.8 m-level (for the basic station), or to the wind tower at the 1.2- and 6.1-m levels (for the superstation).
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: -50
Range_Domain_Maximum: 50
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: degrees Celsius
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -77
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -77 indicates a measurement that would have been made had a sensor that was later added to the station been installed at the time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19900809
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
Attribute_Value_Accuracy: 0.6
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation:
Attribute value accuracy is the maximum expected error (in degrees C) in the measured value of air temperature when the true value of air temperature lies between -50 and 0 degrees C. When true air temperature lies between 0 and 60 degrees C, the maximum expected error is 0.2 degrees C.
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency: 12 minutes

Attribute:
Attribute_Label: air temperature at 1.8m
Attribute_Definition:
Temperature of ambient air 1.8 meters above the base of the station.
Attribute_Definition_Source: same as for air temperature at 6.1m
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: -30
Range_Domain_Maximum: 70
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: degrees Celsius
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19791027
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19900808
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
Attribute_Value_Accuracy: 2
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation:
Attribute value accuracy is the maximum expected error (as a percentage of the true value) in the measured value of air temperature.
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency:
30 minutes 19791027 through 19800424 6 minutes 19800425 through 19900808
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: humidity
Attribute_Definition: Relative humidity of the ambient air near the station.
Attribute_Definition_Source:
Measurement of relative humidity requires a temperature sensor combined with a humidity sensor. The temperature-sensor part of this combined instrument is the same as the air-temperature sensor described above. The humidity sensor is a capacitor consisting of a metallic grid deposited on a glass plate and covered by a hygroscopic polymer film. The dielectric constant of the polymer material increases with the amount of water absorbed, such that capacitance depends on the relative humidity. The basic response to changes in humidity is rapid (approximately 1 second to reach 90 percent of the final value). However, a filter that protects the sensor from dust and physical damage slows the response to 20 to 30 seconds. The humidity-recording part of this sensor is mounted next to the air-temperature thermistor, so that both are sampling the same volume of air. The instrument is mounted on the base of the DCP tower (basic station) or at the 1.2-m level of the wind tower (superstation).
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 100
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19791027
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
Attribute_Value_Accuracy: 5
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation:
Attribute value accuracy is the maximum expected error (as a percentage of the true value) in the measured value of relative humidity. This maximum applies to values from 19791027 through 19900808. For periods from 19900809 through 19921231, the maximum expected error is 2 percent when the true value is between 0 and 80.
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency:
30 minutes 19791027 through 19800424 6 minutes 19800425 through 19900808 1 hour, 19900809 through 19921231
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: barometric pressure
Attribute_Definition: Pressure of the ambient air near the station.
Attribute_Definition_Source:
The barometric-pressure sensor is an aneroid barometer that utilizes an evacuated bellows sensitive to changes in absolute pressure. As pressure changes, motion of the bellows moves a contact across a precision potentiometer, producing an output resistance proportional to the barometric pressure. Housed in a weather-proof container, the barometer is mounted on the DCP tower base tripod.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 35
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: inches of mercury
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.001
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19791027
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
Attribute_Value_Accuracy: 1.4
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation:
Attribute value accuracy is the maximum expected error (as a percentage of the true value) in the measured value of barometric pressure. This maximum applies to values from 19791027 through 19900808. For periods from 19900809 through 19921231, the maximum expected error is 0.3 percent of the true value.
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency:
30 minutes 19791027 through 19800424 6 minutes 19800425 through 19900808 1 hour, 19900809 through 19921231
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: soil temperature at 4cm, 10cm, and 20cm
Attribute_Definition:
Temperature of the soil at the depths indicated below the station. From 19791027 through 19900808 the value reported is soil temperature at 12.7cm (it is given in the data files where the 10cm value is later stored). Occasional problems with instrument disturbance affecting the depth of these sensors are described in the data quality report.
Attribute_Definition_Source:
This sensor is a precision linear thermistor housed in a waterproof, stainless steel enclosure. The resistance of the thermistor is inversely proportional to the soil temperature. Resistance is measured by a voltage divider circuit, and the result is linearized by a look-up-table routine. The probes lie in the soil at depths of 4cm, 10cm, and 20 cm, and they are connected to the DCP by weather- and animal-proof cables.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: -50
Range_Domain_Maximum: 70
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: degrees Celsius
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -99
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -99 indicates a measurement that was not made because the sensor was not functioning properly, the station was not functioning properly, the sensor was not installed, or the station was configured to record this measurement at intervals other than that represented by the current time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: -77
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The value -77 indicates a measurement that would have been made had a sensor that was later added to the station been installed at the time.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Helm, P.J., Breed, C.S., Tigges, R., and Garcia, P.A., 1995, Geometeorological data collected by the USGS Desert Winds Project at Gold Spring, Great Basin Desert, northeastern Arizona, 1979 - 1992: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78. File docfiles/techinfo.doc.
Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19791027
Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19921231
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
Attribute_Value_Accuracy: 2
Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation:
Attribute value accuracy is the maximum expected error (as a percentage of the true value) in the measured value of soil temperature. This maximum applies to values obtained from 19791027 through 19900808.
For measurements between 19900809 and 19921231, the maximum expected error (in degrees C) in the measured value of soil temperature when the true value lies between -50 and -20 degrees C is 0.6; when true air temperature lies between -20 and 50 degrees C, the maximum expected error is 0.1 degrees C.
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency:
30 minutes 19791027 through 19800424 6 minutes 19800425 through 19900808 1 hour, 19900809 through 19921231
Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Peter N. Schweitzer
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
Mail Stop 918 National Center
U.S. Geological Survey
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
City: Reston
State_or_Province: VA
Postal_Code: 20192
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (703) 648-6533
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (703) 648-6560
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pschweitzer@usgs.gov
Resource_Description: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-78
Distribution_Liability:
Although all data and software published on this CD-ROM have been used by the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and related materials or the functioning of the software. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in the use of these data, software, or related materials.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: binary
Format_Version_Number: 0
Format_Specification:
The binary format is provided to enable the data to be stored and accessed on systems with smaller capacity, and to speed retrieval of information from the files. No files in the binary format are provided on the CD- ROM. The binary file format is as follows:
The first four bytes of the data files are used as a signature to identify the file format. Signature bytes are interpreted as follows: 
byte 0: 'D' for "Desert"
byte 1: 'W' for "Winds"
byte 2: 'b' if the file is binary, 'a' if ASCII
byte 3: format version number and byte ordering scheme:
If file is ASCII, version number is a numeral '0' through '9'.
If file is binary, the high-order bit indicates the byte ordering scheme of the data, and the rest of the bits indicate the version number.
If the high-order bit is set, the data are MSB- ordered ("big endian"); the high-order byte of a two- byte word is stored in the low-order address. (e.g. Macintosh, SUN)
If the high-order bit is clear, the data are LSB- ordered ("little endian"); the low-order byte of a two- byte word is stored in the low-order address. (e.g. Intel, VAX)
The version indicator in the file format allows up to ten varieties of files to be read and written by the low-level data handling routines. Only version 0 is presently supported.
Following the four-byte signature, the GEOMET station location is given as degrees, minutes, and seconds latitude encoded as two-byte two's complement binary integers followed by degrees, minutes, and seconds longitude encoded the same way.
Data records are fixed-length binary records each containing 17 two-byte unsigned integers as follows: 
01. Year
02. Day
03. Minute of the day, i.e. hour times sixty plus minute
04. Humidity times 100
05. Precipitation times 100
06. Barometric pressure times 1000
07. Wind direction times 100
08. Wind speed at 6.1m times 100
09. Peak gust at 6.1m times 100
10. Wind speed at 2.7m times 100
11. Wind speed at 1.2m times 100
12. Peak gust at 1.2m times 100
13. Air temperature at 6.1m plus 50, times 100
14. Air temperature at 1.2m plus 50, times 100
15. Soil temperature at 4cm depth plus 50, times 100
16. Soil temperature at 10cm depth plus 50, times 100
17. Soil temperature at 20cm depth plus 50, times 100
Note that if the byte ordering indicated by the file signature is little-endian, all of the two-byte quantities will be encoded least-significant byte first, but if the byte ordering is big-endian, the two- byte quantities will be encoded most-significant byte first.
Format_Information_Content:
Daily records of Gold Spring GEOMET station data from 19791027 through 19921231
Transfer_Size: 38
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-078/DATA/GS/
Fees: none
Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20160205
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Peter N. Schweitzer
Contact_Position:
Collection manager, USGS Geoscience Data Clearinghouse, http://geo-nsdi.er.usgs.gov/
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
Mail Stop 918 National Center
U.S. Geological Survey
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
City: Reston
State_or_Province: VA
Postal_Code: 20192
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (703) 648-6533
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (703) 648-6560
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pschweitzer@usgs.gov
Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
This page is <https://geo-nsdi.er.usgs.gov/metadata/open-file/95-78/metadata.html>
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