Extended Age Query (EAQ) Design & Implementation

Overview

The Extended Age Query (EAQ) feature enhances query capabilities for Collection Objects (COs) in the Query Builder by enabling filters based on geological age. Available in Geology, Invertebrate Paleontology, and Vertebrate Paleontology disciplines, EAQ supports both named time periods and explicit numerical ranges using start/end values (in Millions of Years Ago, MYA).

Core Logic & Filtering Criteria

• Numeric-Based Logic
  EAQ exclusively uses numerical start and end values; no names are directly used for computation—names are converted into numeric ranges by the system.

• Valid Periods Only
  Only Chronostratigraphy nodes from the GeologicTimePeriod table with valid StartPeriod and EndPeriod values (where StartPeriod > EndPeriod) are considered for queries.

• Range Calculation
  The query computes its range using:

  • Lowest EndPeriod across relevant nodes

  • Highest StartPeriod across relevant nodes
    Because MYA increases into the past, higher StartPeriod means older boundary.

• Strictness in Range Calculations

  • an age query start period x

  • an age query end period y

  • with constraint that x >= y

  • for each collection object, a meta start period a is decided, and a meta end period b is decided.

  • with constraint that a >= b

  Strict Filter: (full overlap, a-b is within x-y) a <= x and b >= y

  Non-Strict Filter: (partial age range overlap, any overlap so x-y can be within a-b or a-b can be within x-y) ( a<= x and a >= y) or (b <= x and b >= y) or (a >= x and b <= y)

  This is omitting the complication of uncertainty values. The meta age range for each collection object should appear in the age column of the query results. The “Any” age query bug is being push to a later issue. For now, do a Age Range query from “13800” to “0” to get all COs with age data (query all of time, the age of the universe

User Interface & Workflow

1. Add Age Field
   In the Query Builder, users select “Age” on their Collection Object query.

2. Select Query Method

   • Name: User enters a geological time period name, which the system converts into start/end values and displays the name in the UI.

   • Range: User enters explicit start and end numeric values (e.g., 15 and 5 for 15–5 MYA).

3. Choose Search Mode

   • Strict: Returns COs whose entire age range lies within the specified window.

   • Non-strict: Returns COs whose age ranges overlap at all with the specified window.

4. Execute Query
   The system determines the applicable age range using either the named period or numeric values and filters results accordingly.

Search Scope Across Age Fields

EAQ applies to the following age contexts within Collection Objects:

• Relative Age
  Uses AgeNameID (FK to GeologicTimePeriod) to establish a chronostratigraphic linkage and then applies the underlying start/end values.

• Absolute Age
  Computes a range using: AbsoluteAge + AgeUncertainty to AbsoluteAge – AgeUncertainty

• Paleo Context
  Bound by ChronosStratID (and optionally ChronosStratEndID). The system determines the widest combined range across both IDs using start/end values.

Table paths from CollectionObject to Absoluteage or GeologicTimePeriod

table_path_1	table_path_2	table_path_3	table_path_4	table_path_5
collectionobject	absoluteage
collectionobject	relativeage	chronostrat
collectionobject	paleocontext	chronostrat
collectionobject	collectionevent	paleocontext	chronostrat
collectionobject	collectionevent	locality	paleocontext	chronostrat

Field Paths from CollectionObject to Absoluteage or GeologicTimePeriod

field_path_1	field_path_2	field_path_3	field_path_4	field_path_5	field_path_6
collectionobject	absoluteage	absoluteage
collectionobject	relativeage	agename	startperiod
collectionobject	relativeage	agename	endperiod
collectionobject	relativeage	agenameend	startperiod
collectionobject	relativeage	agenameend	endperiod
collectionobject	paleocontext	chronosstrat	startperiod
collectionobject	paleocontext	chronosstrat	endperiod
collectionobject	paleocontext	chronosstratend	startperiod
collectionobject	paleocontext	chronosstratend	endperiod
collectionobject	collectingevent	paleocontext	chronosstrat	startperiod
collectionobject	collectingevent	paleocontext	chronosstrat	endperiod
collectionobject	collectingevent	paleocontext	chronosstratend	startperiod
collectionobject	collectingevent	paleocontext	chronosstratend	endperiod
collectionobject	collectingevent	locality	paleocontext	chronosstrat	startperiod
collectionobject	collectingevent	locality	paleocontext	chronosstrat	endperiod
collectionobject	collectingevent	locality	paleocontext	chronosstratend	startperiod
collectionobject	collectingevent	locality	paleocontext	chronosstratend	endperiod

These three contexts are searched independently according to their respective logic.

MVP Scope

For the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), the EAQ will only operate on Collection Objects.

Summary Table

Feature	Behavior
Numeric Logic Only	Only start/end MYA values are used—names are converted internally
Valid Periods Only	Filters apply only to Chronostrat nodes with valid start/end values
Range Computation	Uses lowest EndPeriod and highest StartPeriod for range boundaries
Query Methods	Supports both named period and explicit numeric range input
Strict vs Non-strict	Determines whether results must fully fall within or just overlap range
Search Contexts	Applies across Relative Age, Absolute Age, and Paleo Context
Availability	Limited to Collection Object queries for MVP