Indexing is at the most specific level, particularly for systematic names. Records since 1969 include general terms so that you can search for either general terms such as United States, or specific terms such as Massachusetts or Suffolk County. Using Hyphenated Descriptors For most efficient searching, use hyphenated descriptors. You can also search descriptors by selecting the phrases directly from the Index through Lateral Searching. Each record in the GeoRef database contains one or more descriptors that define the specific topics of the article.
Descriptors are individual words or multi-word phrases that have been hyphenated.
When searching for rock units, use all common variants of the names. When searching for broad age terms, you can ignore subdivisions. Each record in the GeoRef database contains one or more descriptors that define the specific topics of the article. Descriptors are individual words or multi-word phrases that have been hyphenated. For most efficient results when searching commodities, combine the commodity name with terms that imply aspects of economic geology.