1. COMPASS/CMGDS and Field Activity Reports
Ellyn Montgomery
USGS
Jan, 2017

2. FA #s are the building blocks used by COMPASS and CMGDS
FA numbers identify trips into the field, and collect metadata about that excursion
COMPASS is the system that allows us to initiate and edit FA’s
There’s a separate portal for each CMGP center : WHSC, St. Pete, ad Santa Cruz
CMGDS (coastal & Marine geologic data system) provides an interface for data discovery and retrieval

3. Fun Facts
COMPASS was designed to help users keep track of metadata- our group already had a robust system in place that we are allowed to continue using
Because our time series data is collected over time at a single position, it doesn’t fit the model on which COMPASS and CMGDS were based:
1 field activity produces 1 dataset
STG time series data is collected between FA #s, so our process is a bit different

4. Starting from the end:
The functionality we want in our entries is that they are discoverable in CMGDS
Use
this
one
Or enter “Time Series Mooring” here- (this is currently not the best option)

5. CMGDS can be accessed from anywhere- you don’t have to be on TIC

7. The fewer data types the user clicks in the form, the better
The fewer data types the user clicks in the form, the better. The system will look for resolution of every type that the FA says was collected. The info in the Data Collected column is entered after data collection, but is shown as an example of how our time series data may look.

8. This link goes to the released data on stellwagen

10. Field Activity numbers are the CMGP way to identify bits of field data
How are they assigned?
How long does the assignment process take?
How do we (STG) use the system to work best with the time series data we collect, given the system was designed to work with static map products?
Keep in mind that several FA #s usually have to be applied to 1 dataset, given a deployment, possible turn-arounds and recovery
Sherwoods drone mapping is more like the “normal” pathway

11. How to get FAs that work for us:
To access FAs (and compass) you must be on TIC network!
At a TIC kiosk, log in, start a browser, go to
Scroll down to find WHSC portal, and click that
Login with your AED credentials

12. After clicking “Initiate Field Activity request” this is what you see.
Just click “Submit” next to the top box, if this it a new FA, otherwise enter an existing FA (usually the first one) from the same experiment

13. Fill things out minimally, but time series (moorings), Phys. Oc
Fill things out minimally, but time series (moorings), Phys. Oc. are important
We keep our own inventory system, so intentionally are undetailed in compass. The more instruments you add, the more follow-up will be required.
Don’t click this the first time,
just on subsequent FA’s

14. This is the tricky part The form has a bunch or REQUIRED fields
For our work enter as little as possible- A single FA probably refers to an experiment where a LOT of kinds of data are collected, we don’t itemize, so “bottom Platform” is the best choice
Don’t fall into the trap of doing type “environmental…”
You’ll have to enter something for Navigation- hand held GPS is good for most.

15. Drone Mapping is TBD There are instruments for Navigation and the AUV
Similar for the Jetyak

16. Return trips
For any subsequent trips to the same research site for maintenance or turn instruments around, start with the FA from the 1st trip then
reference the first FA# for that experiment
Then it uses entries from the original one so there’s less to fill out
The next form is where you’d click “no data collected” so as not to duplicate entries.

17. Example showing what a FA with no data collected (a turn-around) should look like:
This is what a FA with no data collected should look like

18. FA refers to where these data are linked to stellwagen. This FA should have been initiated saying no data would be collected. Now that it’s there, though, it can’t be removed.

19. Final Notes
If you have a typo on the FA that you’re using as the template, the new FA will come up without any auto-filled fields. When you start a New FA based on another, most fields should be auto-populated. If they come up empty or with the wrong info, check the “notes” box at the bottom of the form to be sure you entered the FA you meant to.
In COMAPSS don’t use “OTHER”
It will only necessitate conversation with John O’Malley about addinq new equipment, and we don’t need the level of detail that using “other” will initiate. Use the closest thing you can find, or if you’re using something new and different like the jetyak or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), ask John to make a new entry in the appropriate place.