Alexander Tate, Author at British Antarctic Survey

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Alexander Tate

Senior Data and Systems Architect

Research interests

Open access to data and publications

The current national and international efforts to reduce the cultural and technical barriers to opening up data form a key part of my role. I want to be part of a research world where data are available almost immediately after collection, in a form that is both well described and interoperable but that crucially allows for credit to be given to the individuals who collected, processed, analysed, quality assured, described and released the data. Dataset DOIs are a great start but there is so much more that we can do.

Standards for metadata, data and vocabularies

I have long been interested in the international standards that cover discovery metadata and the very many discipline-specific data standards that aim to facilitate interoperability. The UK Polar Data Centre is committed to the Directory Interchange Format (DIF) standard of NASA’s Global Change Master Directory but we also support ISO standards and are currently testing ISO19115-1. Standards compliant web services are another interest as is testing the software (mainly open-source) that deliver these services.

Marine geophysical survey

I have participated in a large number of research cruises in the Southern Ocean supporting the collection of a wide range of data but I have a particular interest in geophysical datasets and especially multibeam bathymetric data. I have processed and cleaned tens of thousands of hours of polar bathymetric data and made these available in a variety of formats for reuse by the community. I play a major role in a number of regional gridding efforts (e.g. the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean) and have co-authored several publications describing openly available bathymetric grids (see my publications tab).

Database development

The majority of my technical development work at BAS has involved the creation and maintenance of relational database models (usually Oracle) as well as interfaces for both data input and data discovery/download. A recent example is designing the database model that underpins the polar marine metadata project. This reuses database development work by the British Oceanographic Data Centre (a sister NERC data centre and key collaborator) and uses controlled keywords from the NERC vocabulary service for increased interoperability.

Physical collections

I believe that physical samples are also data and their long-term curation and management are just as important as the digital data we hold. I have managed projects to catalogue large portions of the polar rock and fossil collection hosted by BAS. These samples along with the other collections held by BAS on behalf of the polar community have a huge potential reuse value which can be realised at a fraction of the cost of their original collection.

Project management

I work on a large number of projects relating to the creation of data and information systems both for science and business purposes. These range from redeveloping the discovery metadata system to implementing a flexi-time recording system. I am a certified Prince2 practitioner and we use the Prince2 methodology on many projects but we also use Agile methods where appropriate especially with code development.

Owen M.J., Day S.J., Leat P.T, Tate A. J, Martin T.J. 2014. Control of sedimentation by active tectonics, glaciation and contourite-depositing currents in Endurance Basin, South Georgia. Global and Planetary Change 123, 323-343

Gales J.A., Leat P.T., Larter R.D., Kuhn G., Hillenbrand C-D, Graham A.G.C., Mitchell N.C., Tate A.J., Buys G.B., Jokat W. 2014. Large-scale submarine landslides, channel and gully systems on the southern Weddell Sea margin, Antarctica. Marine Geology 348, 73-87

Leat P.T., Day S.J, Tate A.J., Martin T.J., Owen M.J., Tappin D.R. 2013. Volcanic evolution of the South Sandwich volcanic arc, South Atlantic, from multibeam bathymetry. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 265, 60-77

Curtis M.L., Riley T. R., Michael J. Flowerdew M.J. and Tate, A. J. 2011. Short Note: The application and beneﬁts of digital geological mapping in Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 23, pp 387388 doi:10.1017/S095410201100023X

Leat P.T., Tate A.J., Tappin D.R., Day S.J., Owen M.J. 2010. Growth and mass wasting of volcanic centers in the northern South Sandwich arc, South Atlantic, revealed by new multibeam mapping. Marine Geology 275 (1), 110-126

Fretwell, P.T.; Tate, A.J., Deen, T.J., Belchier, M. 2009. Compilation of a new bathymetric dataset of South Georgia. Antarctic Science 171-174

Graham, A. G. C., Fretwell, P.T., Larter, R. D., Hodgson, D. A., Wilson C. K., Tate A. J., Morris, P. 2008. A new bathymetric compilation highlighting extensive paleo–ice sheet drainage on the continental shelf, South Georgia, sub-Antarctica, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 9, Q07011, doi:10.1029/2008GC001993.

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

2026

Tate, Alex J. . Crosier, Mike C. Lopez, Claudette J. . Dawson, Benjamin . Phillips, Daniel P. . Bridger, Martin. Ward, Juan . (2026) Next-generation sensor data acquisition onboard NERC deep water research vessels: a deliverable report for the AMPLIFY-EDS project.

2025

Thorne, Michael . von Bock und Polach, Franz. Cziferszky, Andreas . Fleming, Andrew . Goodman, Dougal. Kikuchi, Takashi. Kodaira, Tsubasa. Mikami, Kohei. Murayama, Hideaki. Sawamura, Junji. Suominen, Mikko. Tate, Alexander . Tuhkuri, Jukka. Wadhams, Peter. Waseda, Takuji. Wilkinson, Jeremy . (2025) A polar oceans shipping information system.

2024

Jakobsson, Martin . Mohammad, Rezwan. Karlsson, Marcus. Salas-Romero, Silvia . Vacek, Florian . Heinze, Florian . Bringensparr, Caroline. Castro, Carlos F. Johnson, Paul. Kinney, Juliet . Cardigos, Sara. Bogonko, Michael. Accettella, Daniela. Amblas, David . An, Lu. Bohan, Aileen. Brandt, Angelika. Bünz, Stefan. Canals, Miquel . Casamor, José Luis. Coakley, Bernard. Cornish, Natalie. Danielson, Seth . Demarte, Maurizio. Di Franco, Davide. Dickson, Mary-Lynn. Dorschel, Boris . Dowdeswell, Julian A. . Dreutter, Simon. Fremand, Alice C. . Hall, John K. Hally, Bryan. Holland, David. Hong, Jon Kuk. Ivaldi, Roberta. Knutz, Paul C. Krawczyk, Diana W. Kristofferson, Yngve. Lastras, Galderic. Leck, Caroline. Lucchi, Renata G. Masetti, Giuseppe . Morlighem, Mathieu . Muchowski, Julia. Nielsen, Tove. Noormets, Riko. Plaza-Faverola, Andreia . Prescott, Megan M. Purser, Autun . Rasmussen, Tine L. Rebesco, Michele. Rignot, Eric . Rysgaard, Søren . Silyakova, Anna. Snoeijs-Leijonmalm, Pauline. Sørensen, Aqqaluk. Straneo, Fiammetta. Sutherland, David A. . Tate, Alex J. . Travaglini, Paola. Trenholm, Nicole. van Wijk, Esmee. Wallace, Luke. Willis, Josh K. . Wood, Michael . Zimmermann, Mark . Zinglersen, Karl B. Mayer, Larry. (2024) The International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean Version 5.0.

Blair, Gordon S. . Baker, Garry. Bee, Emma. Bowie, Jo. Byrne, James . Darroch, Louise. Fremand, Alice . Garland, Wendy. Harrison, Kathryn. Heaven, Rachel. ten Hoopen, Petra . Juckes, Martin. Kingdon, Andy . Kingston, Richard. Kokkinaki, Alexandra. Lewis, Edd . MacRae, Molly. Mobbs, Stephen. Moncoiffe, Gwenaelle. Pascoe, Charlotte. Passmore, James. Peat, Helen . Pepler, Sam. Shepherd, Andy. Siddorn, John . Snaith, Helen. Tate, Alex . Townsend, Poppy. Walsh, Colm. Watkins, John . (2024) Contributions to the development of the next-generation NERC Environmental Data Service: Building Interoperability – a NERC Data Commons RoadMap.

2022

Dorschel, Boris. Hehemann, Laura. Viquerat, Sacha. Warnke, Fynn. Dreutter, Simon. Tenberge, Yvonne Schulze. Accetella, Daniela. An, Lu. Barrios, Felipe. Bazhenova, Evgenia. Black, Jenny. Bohoyo, Fernando. Davey, Craig. De Santis, Laura. Dotti, Carlota Escutia. Fremand, Alice C. . Fretwell, Peter T. . Gales, Jenny A. Gao, Jinyao. Gasperini, Luca. Greenbaum, Jamin S. Henderson Jencks, Jennifer. Hogan, Kelly . Hong, Jong Kuk. Jakobsson, Martin. Jensen, Laura. Kool, Johnathan. Larin, Sergei. Larter, Robert D. . Leitchenkov, German. Loubrieu, Benoît. Mackay, Kevin. Mayer, Larry. Millan, Romain. Morlighem, Mathieu. Navidad, Francisco. Nitsche, Frank O. Nogi, Yoshifumi. Pertuisot, Cécile. Post, Alexandra L. Pritchard, Hamish D. . Purser, Autun. Rebesco, Michele. Rignot, Eric. Roberts, Jason L. Rovere, Marzia. Ryzhov, Ivan. Sauli, Chiara. Schmitt, Thierry. Silvano, Alessandro. Smith, Jodie. Snaith, Helen. Tate, Alex J. . Tinto, Kirsty. Vandenbossche, Philippe. Weatherall, Pauline. Wintersteller, Paul. Yang, Chunguo. Zhang, Tao. Arndt, Jan Erik. (2022) The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean Version 2.

2020

Jakobsson, Martin. Mayer, Larry A. Bringensparr, Caroline. Castro, Carlos F. Mohammad, Rezwan. Johnson, Paul. Ketter, Tomer. Accettella, Daniela. Amblas, David. An, Lu. Arndt, Jan Erik. Canals, Miquel. Casamor, José Luis. Chauché, Nolwenn. Coakley, Bernard. Danielson, Seth. Demarte, Maurizio. Dickson, Mary-Lynn. Dorschel, Boris. Dowdeswell, Julian A. Dreutter, Simon. Fremand, Alice C. . Gallant, Dana. Hall, John K. Hehemann, Laura. Hodnesdal, Hanne. Hong, Jongkuk. Ivaldi, Roberta. Kane, Emily. Klaucke, Ingo. Krawczyk, Diana W. Kristoffersen, Yngve. Kuipers, Boele R. Millan, Romain. Masetti, Giuseppe. Morlighem, Mathieu. Noormets, Riko. Prescott, Megan M. Rebesco, Michele. Rignot, Eric. Semiletov, Igor. Tate, Alex J. . Travaglini, Paola. Velicogna, Isabella. Weatherall, Pauline. Weinrebe, Wilhelm. Willis, Joshua K. Wood, Michael. Zarayskaya, Yulia. Zhang, Tao. Zimmermann, Mark. Zinglersen, Karl B. (2020) The International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean Version 4.0.

2019

Larter, Robert D. . Hogan, Kelly A. . Hillenbrand, Claus-Dieter . Smith, James A. . Batchelor, Christine L. Cartigny, Matthieu. Tate, Alex J. . Kirkham, James D. . Roseby, Zoë A. . Kuhn, Gerhard. Graham, Alastair G.C. Dowdeswell, Julian A. (2019) Subglacial hydrological control on flow of an Antarctic Peninsula palaeo-ice stream.

Riley, Teal R. . Carter, Andrew. Leat, Philip T. Burton-Johnson, Alex . Bastias, Joaquin. Spikings, Richard A. Tate, Alex J. . Bristow, Charlie S. (2019) Geochronology and geochemistry of the northern Scotia Sea: a revised interpretation of the North and West Scotia ridge junction.

Brasier, M. Grant, Susie . Trathan, Phil . Allcock, L. Ashford, O. Blagbrough, Hilary . Brandt, A. Danis, B. Downey, R. Eléaume, MP. Enderlein, Peter. Ghiglione, C. Hogg, Oliver. Linse, Katrin . Mackenzie, M. Moreau, C. Robinson, LF. Rodriguez, E. Spirdonov, V. Tate, Alexander . Taylor, M. Waller, C. Wiklund, H. Griffiths, Huw . (2019) Benthic biodiversity in the South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf Marine Protected Area.

Bohoyo, Fernando. Larter, Robert . Galindo-Zaldívar, Jesús. Leat, Philip. Maldonado, Andrés. Tate, Alexander . Flexas, Mar. Gowland, Elanor. Arndt, Jan. Dorschel, Boris. Yeadong, Kim. Jongkuk, Hong. López-Martinez, J. Maestro, Adolfo. Bermúdez, Óscar. Nitsche, Frank O. Livermore, Roy A. Riley, Teal R. . (2019) Morphological and geological features of Drake Passage, Antarctica, from a new digital bathymetric model.

2016

Bohoyo, F. Larter, R.D. . Galindo-Zaldivar, J. Leat, P.T. Maldonado, A. Tate, A.J. . Gowland, E.J.M. Arndt, J.E. Dorschel, B. Kim, Y.D. Hong, J.K. Flexas, M.M. Lopez-Martinez, J. Maestro, A. Bermudez, O. Nitsche, F.O. Livermore, R.A. Riley, T.R. . (2016) Bathymetry and geological setting of the Drake Passage.

Leat, Philip T. Fretwell, Peter T. . Tate, Alex J. . Larter, Robert D. . Martin, Tara J. Smellie, John L. Jokat, Wilfred. Bohrmann, Gerhard. (2016) Bathymetry and geological setting of the South Sandwich Islands volcanic arc.

2015

Leat, Philip T. Fretwell, Peter T. . Tate, Alex J. . Larter, Robert D. . Martin, T.J. Smellie, J.K. Jokat, W. Bohrmann, G. (2015) Bathymetry and geological setting of the South Sandwich Islands Volcanic Arc.

2014

Owen, Matthew J. Day, Simon J. Leat, Philip T. Tate, Alex J . Martin, Tara J. (2014) Control of sedimentation by active tectonics, glaciation and contourite-depositing currents in Endurance Basin, South Georgia.

2013

Gales, J.A. Leat, P.T. Larter, R.T. . Kuhn, G. Hillenbrand, C.-D. . Graham, A.G.C. Mitchell, N.D. Tate, A.J. . Buys, G.B. Jokat, W. (2013) Large-scale submarine landslides, channel and gully systems on the southern Weddell Sea margin, Antarctica.

Leat, Philip T. Day, Simon J. Tate, Alex J. . Martin, Tara J. Owen, Matthew J. Tappin, David R. (2013) Volcanic evolution of the South Sandwich volcanic arc, South Atlantic, from multibeam bathymetry.

2011

Curtis, Michael L. Riley, Teal R. . Flowerdew, Michael J. Tate, Alex . (2011) The application and benefits of digital geological mapping in Antarctica.

Wendt, Anke S. Vaughan, Alan P.M. Tate, Alexander . (2011) Metamorphic rocks in the Antarctic Peninsula region.

2010

Leat, Philip T. Tate, Alex J. . Tappin, David R. Day, Simon J. Owen, Matthew J. (2010) Growth and mass wasting of volcanic centers in the northern South Sandwich arc, South Atlantic, revealed by new multibeam mapping.

Fretwell, P.T. . Tate, Alex . Deen, Tara. Belchier, Mark . (2010) Compilation of a new bathymetric dataset of South Georgia.

2008

Graham, Alastair G.C. Fretwell, Peter T. . Larter, Robert D. . Hodgson, Dominic A. . Wilson, Christian K. Tate, Alexander James . Morris, Peter. (2008) A new bathymetric compilation highlighting extensive paleo-ice sheet drainage on the continental shelf, South Georgia, sub-Antarctica.

Larter, R., Hogan, K., Hillenbrand, C., Smith, J., Batchelor, C., Cartigny, M., Tate, A., Kirkham, J., Roseby, Z., Kuhn, G., Graham, A., & Dowdeswell, J. (2019). A bathymetric compilation over Anvers-Hugo Trough, Perrier Trough and Palmer Deep, 1990-2017 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/70905d9c-6dc0-421b-b20b-1e2dff97e802
Fretwell, P. (2015). A bathymetric and topographic compilation of the South Sandwich Island Volcanic Arc (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/b8143952-421c-4544-8437-58f339253d30
Tate, A., & Wilson, L. (2006). BAS geological data – Type and Figured Fossil Collection (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://data.bas.ac.uk/full-record.php?id=GB/NERC/BAS/PDC/00154
Tate, A. (2004). BAS geological data – overview (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://data.bas.ac.uk/full-record.php?id=GB/NERC/BAS/PDC/00048

Fossil database

Read more of: Fossil database
Managing South Orkney’s seafloor communities

SO-AntEco was a British Antarctic Survey (BAS) led expedition undertaken in conjunction with an international team of scientists from the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) AntEco research programme.

Read more of: Managing South Orkney’s seafloor communities
Impact of global disturbances on evolution of polar life

Why does global biodiversity show such a steep increase just as climates were deteriorating?

Read more of: Impact of global disturbances on evolution of polar life
Geological Collection

Contains over 200,000 individual rock and fossil specimens collected from Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands and thousands of meters of sediment core from the surrounding seabed.

Read more of: Geological Collection
The Southern Ocean Network of Acoustics (SONA)

SONA will use bio-acoustics to monitor mid-trophic organisms at large spatial scales annually along transits to Antarctic research bases and fisheries sites. It will unite multi-national calibrated acoustic data from both research and fisheries vessels into a common accessible database.

Read more of: The Southern Ocean Network of Acoustics (SONA)