Tech Notes: Identifying EarthScope

Authors: Ted Habermann (Metadata Game Changers) and Jim Riley (EarthScope Consortium)

This Tech Note explores how persistent identifiers (PIDs)—such as DOIs, ORCIDs, and RORs—can strengthen connections across the global research ecosystem. Focusing on EarthScope Consortium’s transition from the former UNAVCO and IRIS facilities into the NSF GAGE and SAGE facilities, the note highlights efforts to mint new identifiers, improve DataCite metadata, and iteratively increase alignment with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Through practical examples and comparative analyses with other NSF facilities, the authors show how enhanced metadata curation improves discoverability, connectivity, and reuse of research data. This work underscores the importance of moving beyond minimal metadata toward richer, more connected records that advance global research infrastructure.