How to Cite USGS Earth Explorer
In the realm of geospatial data and remote sensing, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Explorer stands as a cornerstone resource for researchers, educators, and enthusiasts alike. Whether you are analyzing land cover changes, studying natural disasters, or simply exploring the beauty of our planet, citing the USGS Earth Explorer in your work is an essential practice. This article will guide you through the process of citing this invaluable tool, ensuring that you give proper credit to the source of your data.
The first step in citing the USGS Earth Explorer is to locate the specific dataset you have used. Once you have identified the dataset, you can proceed with the following citation format:
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., Author, C. C., et al. (Year). Dataset Title. United States Geological Survey Earth Explorer. DOI: [DOI number]
For example, if you have used the Landsat 8 Surface Reflectance dataset, your citation would look like this:
Landsat 8 Science Team (2018). Landsat 8 Surface Reflectance. United States Geological Survey Earth Explorer. DOI: 10.5066/F7R31Q1H
It is important to note that the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique identifier for the dataset, which you can find on the USGS Earth Explorer website or by clicking on the dataset link. Including the DOI ensures that your readers can easily locate and access the dataset you have cited.
When citing the USGS Earth Explorer in a journal article, book, or presentation, you may need to adapt the citation format to fit the specific guidelines of the publication. In most cases, you will need to include the dataset title, the name of the organization (United States Geological Survey), and the year of the dataset release. Additionally, some publications may require you to include the dataset version or the platform used for accessing the data.
In conclusion, citing the USGS Earth Explorer is a crucial aspect of acknowledging the source of your geospatial data. By following the citation format outlined in this article, you can ensure that you give proper credit to the United States Geological Survey and facilitate the reproducibility of your research. Happy exploring!
