The GCMD Keywords are a hierarchical set of controlled Earth Science vocabularies that help ensure Earth science data and services are described in a consistent and comprehensive manner and allow for the precise searching of collection-level metadata and subsequent retrieval of data and services. Initiated over twenty years ago, the GCMD Keywords continue to be refined and expanded in response to user needs. The sets of GCMD Keywords are as follows.
- Earth Science Keywords
- Earth Science Services Keywords
- Data Centers
- Projects
- Platform/Instrument/Sensors
- Locations
- Horizontal Data Resolution
- Vertical Data Resolution
- Temporal Data Resolution
- URL Content Types
- Chronostratigraphic Units
To submit a keyword (additions for modification), the submitter should:
- State the proposed keyword
- Provide a definition of the keyword
- State the rationale for the keyword change
Review the controlled keyword rules
Verify that the keyword does not already exists
Once the above have been completed, submit your requests to support@earthdata.nasa.gov. All other keyword issues/questions should also be sent to support@earthdata.nasa.gov. or posted to the forum.
The keywords can be accessed via:
GCMD Keyword Directory: http://gcmd.nasa.gov/learn/keyword_list.html
Dynamic RESTful Service http://gcmdservices.gsfc.nasa.gov/kms/capabilities?format=html
The keywords should be cited as:
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2015. GCMD Keywords, Version 8.1. Greenbelt, MD: Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL:http://gcmd.nasa.gov/learn/keywords.html