The report reviews the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) and assesses how well the center is managing its holdings, serving its users, and supporting NOAA's mission. It concludes that NGDC is the natural place within NOAA and the nation for stewardship and dissemination of data related to the solid Earth and space environment. These subject areas are also relevant to NOAA's new priority on integrated environmental approaches. For NGDC to fulfill its potential, however, it must first rearticulate its mission and overcome some solvable problems, including obtaining effective feedback from its users and organizing the center to eliminate parallel activities and reduce scientific isolation among the divisions.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Overview of NGDC
3. Improving the Effectiveness of NGDC
4. NGDC Mission and Vision
5. Conclusions
Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members
Appendix B: Criteria for Review
Appendix C: NGDC Holdings
Appendix D: NOAA, NESDIS, and NGDC Missions, Visions, and Strategic Objectives
Appendix E: NGDC Performance Measures and Milestones
Appendix F: Acronyms