Grid-enabling the Global Geodynamics Project: the introduction of an XML-based data model

The Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) provides a reasonable representation of the scientific collaboration evident in small-to-medium-scale initiatives. GGP also provides data management challenges that are different from those typically expressed by other areas of the physical sciences - e.g., high energy physics. These distinctions make GGP an interesting candidate for assessing the challenges and opportunities associated with technically enabling collaborative science via grid computing. Emphasis is placed here on the introduction of an XML-based data model into the GGP. Although it is concluded that Earth Sciences Markup Language (ESML) is highly effective and efficient in introducing a new data model, and paves the way for structural transformations on data, challenges and opportunities are also identified. Metadata (data about data) provides the gravest concern and therefore the most-important focus for further research.