Kudos to Jeff Martz and Bill Parker for publication of an important
paper on Petrified Forest region stratigraphy published today in the online journal PloS ONE.
In addition to the revised stratigraphic interpretations, Jeff and Bill worked to make their work completely reproducible by providing "GPS coordinates as well as photos of all measured outcrops, showing not only the location but how the outcrop was separated into units. We also provide a copy of our geological map." Bill describes the rationale and need for this work in his blog
Chinleana.The
Open Source Paleontologist points out some of the benefits of an online digital publication - megabytes of color photos and maps, active links to references, and active GPS coordinates among others.
Ref: Martz, J.W., and W.G. Parker. 2010. Revised lithostratigraphy of the Sonsela Member (Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic) in the southern part of Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. PLoSONE 5(2)e9329. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009329
