# USGS Thesaurus

> thesaurus of scientific concepts relevant to the mission and work of the US Geological Survey

**Wikidata**: [Q114148086](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114148086)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usgs-thesaurus

## Summary
The USGS Thesaurus is a controlled vocabulary of scientific concepts relevant to the mission and work of the United States Geological Survey. It serves as a structured classification system for organizing and retrieving information about Earth science and geology. The thesaurus is maintained by the United States Geological Survey and is available as an online database.

## Key Facts
- The USGS Thesaurus is maintained by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
- It is classified as a thesaurus, online database, and website.
- The main subjects covered are Earth science and geology.
- The thesaurus is available in English.
- It has a Wikidata description identifying it as a thesaurus of scientific concepts relevant to USGS's mission.
- The main Wikidata property associated with it is P11095.
- It is published by the United States Geological Survey.
- The thesaurus is operated by the United States Geological Survey.
- It originated in the United States.
- The thesaurus has a Bartoc ID of 414 with qualifiers including "U.S. Geological Survey Thesaurus" and "USGS Thesaurus".

## FAQs
### Q: What is the USGS Thesaurus?
A: The USGS Thesaurus is a controlled vocabulary of scientific concepts relevant to the mission and work of the United States Geological Survey, covering Earth science and geology topics.

### Q: Who maintains the USGS Thesaurus?
A: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains the USGS Thesaurus.

### Q: What subjects does the USGS Thesaurus cover?
A: The USGS Thesaurus covers Earth science and geology, providing a structured classification system for these scientific domains.

## Why It Matters
The USGS Thesaurus plays a crucial role in organizing and standardizing scientific information within the United States Geological Survey and the broader Earth science community. By providing a controlled vocabulary for scientific concepts, it enables consistent classification and retrieval of information across various USGS databases and publications. This standardization is essential for researchers, scientists, and policymakers who rely on accurate and easily accessible geological and Earth science data. The thesaurus facilitates better data integration, improves search functionality, and enhances the overall efficiency of scientific communication within the USGS and its partner organizations. Its importance extends beyond internal use, as it contributes to the broader scientific community's ability to share and understand geological information on a global scale.

## Notable For
- Being the official controlled vocabulary for the United States Geological Survey
- Covering a comprehensive range of Earth science and geology concepts
- Serving as a standardized classification system for USGS information resources
- Facilitating improved data integration and search functionality across USGS databases
- Contributing to the standardization of geological terminology in scientific communication

## Body
### Structure and Content
The USGS Thesaurus is organized as a hierarchical classification system, with broader terms encompassing more specific concepts. It includes terminology related to various aspects of Earth science, including geology, hydrology, biology, and geography. The thesaurus is regularly updated to reflect new scientific discoveries and evolving terminology in the field.

### Accessibility and Usage
As an online database, the USGS Thesaurus is accessible through the USGS website. It serves as a reference tool for USGS employees, researchers, and the general public interested in Earth science topics. The thesaurus is integrated into various USGS information systems, enhancing the organization and retrieval of scientific data.

### Relationship to Other Classifications
The USGS Thesaurus is part of a broader ecosystem of scientific classifications and controlled vocabularies. It complements other classification systems used in Earth sciences and may reference or be referenced by other specialized thesauri in related fields.

### Maintenance and Updates
The United States Geological Survey is responsible for maintaining and updating the thesaurus. This ongoing process ensures that the vocabulary remains current with scientific advancements and changes in terminology within the Earth sciences.

### Technical Implementation
The thesaurus is implemented as a web-based resource, making it easily accessible to users. It likely employs standard thesaurus structures and relationships, such as broader/narrower terms, related terms, and scope notes to provide context for each concept.