Add plate boundaries as a built-in dataset

[michaelgrund]

Description of the desired feature

Since it's one of the most frequently used geo datasets to plot as well as based on a comment in the forum (https://forum.generic-mapping-tools.org/t/borders-plate-tectonics/1946) I think it would be useful to have the plate boundaries of Bird (2002) as a built-in dataset in GMT/PyGMT.

Are you willing to help implement and maintain this feature? Yes (but first discuss)

[weiji14]

Adding a new dataset would be a discussion that goes on https://github.com/GenericMappingTools/gmtserver-admin/. Maybe get @seisman or @meghanrjones to transfer this issue there. xref #98.

[PaulWessel]

I should try to get input from Christian Heine on this. I believe he did all the hard work of adding -Sf information to the segment headers so that trenches has saw tooth fronts and FZ has strike slip, etc, and that the lines are organized so that overriding plate is always to the left as you move along a line. The Bird dataset as is requires lots of work. But otherwise agree.

[joa-quim]

I don't think the Bird's plate borders file should be endorsed by GMT. It's very complex and questionable in many places.

[seisman]

I think the GMT "cache" files should be only used in GMT/PyGMT/GMT.jl examples and tests.

[PaulWessel]

Yes, as the name cache implies, I do not think we have any long-term obligation to maintain anything that is put there. No doubt such a data set is useful to many of us, but once we cross that line of also serving up specific discipline data sets we will be toast.

[seisman]

Yes, as the name cache implies, I do not think we have any long-term obligation to maintain anything that is put there. No doubt such a data set is useful to many of us, but once we cross that line of also serving up specific discipline data sets we will be toast.

I agree. Can we (or do we want to) set up a repository to store "user-contributed dataset"? Users can submit the dataset that can be directly used in GMT (e.g., Bird's plate borders), and users are responsible to maintain the datasets.

The GMT China Community is maintaining such a repository china-geospatial-data, which stores some dataset that are specific for Chinese users.

[PaulWessel]

Sure, we could enable such repositories. There would still be decisions (what should go into it - anything? or a theme-based limitation).

[chhei]

@michaelgrund, @PaulWessel - The plate boundary data from Bird converted for GMT >5 is available through my website. I'd be more than happy to contribute the file to a community repository.

[michaelgrund]

Yes, as the name cache implies, I do not think we have any long-term obligation to maintain anything that is put there. No doubt such a data set is useful to many of us, but once we cross that line of also serving up specific discipline data sets we will be toast.

I agree. Can we (or do we want to) set up a repository to store "user-contributed dataset"? Users can submit the dataset that can be directly used in GMT (e.g., Bird's plate borders), and users are responsible to maintain the datasets.

Sounds good to me but I think we need a more detailed discussion about what to add and what not (as @PaulWessel mentioned).