Data archiving and accessibility is necessary for paleomagnetic research as researchersrepurpose published data to resample, reinterpret, and update records to determine
information about the past geomagnetic field. MagIC is the most comprehensive database for
magnetic measurements. Here, we examine the overlap and consistency across specialized
databases specifically PINT and ICEPMAG which focus on geomagnetic paleointensity and
regional Icelandic data respectively. We provide an overview of some current database issues
and offer suggestions for improved interoperability. We highlight the need for straightforward
unique data identifiers to enable database interoperability, and address inconsistencies and
inaccuracies in some records that should be identical across MagIC, PINT, and ICEPMAG.
Method codes are used to describe field and lab procedures that provide important quality
information to users in each of the three databases but differ in their definitions. Only a fifth
of the MagIC method codes are actively used and many codes appear redundant or are
inconsistently applied. This limits their effectiveness for evaluating data and linking methods
across databases. We recommend the use of field mapping applications to improve the
accuracy and precision of location data. We suggest that MagIC should remove redundant
method codes, implement a hierarchy of method codes for common experiment names,
support a tool to help users select method codes, and implement validations for calculated
paleomagnetic data. We consider it vital that the paleomagnetic community establishes a
unique identifier for each data record (whether it be IGSNs or another identifier) to improve
traceability as new databases are developed.