About EarthChem Data

Data Discovery through the EarthChem Portal

The one-stop-shop for geochemical data gives users the ability to

• search federated databases PetDB, NAVDAT, and GEOROC simultaneously
• simple and straightforward access to all data holdings
• define queries using criteria such as location, rock type, and author
• create datasets specifically tailored to their needs
• obtain data from different databases integrated into a common output format

Data Preservation through Topical Data Collections

EarthChem provides a centralized location where users can browse and access topical data collections put together by EarthChem and by investigators who wish to share their efforts.  The Deep Lithosphere Dataset is the first topical dataset served under EarthChem and is currently being populated with geochemical and petrological data from deep crustal and mantle xenoliths accommodated into the PetDB data structure.  For more information on the data model go to For Developers.

Analytical Data - Deep Lithosphere

This dataset provides analytical data on deep crustal and mantle xenoliths including major and trace element chemistry, isotopic composition of bulk rock and minerals, modal abundance, fluid and melt inclusion data, host rock — xenolith relationships, and thermobarometry, as determined in the original articles

Metadata - Deep Lithosphere

The Deep Lithosphere Dataset contains abundant information about the analytical procedure and data quality (method, precision, standard measurements), and a wide range of contextual information about the samples (rock type, texture, age, modal composition, alteration), sample locations (geospatial coordinates, location names, tectonic setting) sampling process (technique, date, cruise), analytical procedures and the source of the data (references, authors).

Data Search

The online interactive search tool allows you to create customized datasets by building queries that extract from the database any combination of chemical data.
Go to Search Data.
For help with the search tools, click here.

Thin section micrograph of mantle xenolith. Photo credit: R.W. Carlson