Attention, geo-geeks, Cambridge University Press has just released Geoinformatics - Cyberinfrastructure for the Solid Earth Sciences, which includes two chapters by AZGS staff (myself included). Editors Randy Keller and Chaitan Baru wrangled a great collection of papers from around the world to help define and promulgate this rapidly emerging field.
"This book uses a series of case studies to demonstrate computer and database use across the geosciences. Chapters are thematically grouped into sections that cover data collection and management; modeling and community computational codes; visualization and data representation; knowledge management and data integration; and web services and scientific workflows."
AZGS represents the Association of American State Geologists to build the Geoscience Information Network (GIN, http://lab.usgin.org) in partnership with the USGS. We are also prime contractors for the Dept. of Energy in deploying the National Geothermal Data System (www.stategeothermaldata.org) to all 50 states as a web-based, open-source, interoperable, distributed data network.