Welcome to GeoLab! The EarthScope-operated JupyterHub that provides a powerful platform for accessing Jupyter Notebooks in a shared, cloud-based environment. GeoLab is a collaborative environment for students, researchers, and other members of the geocentric scientific community to work on high-throughput, data-intensive workflows while having access to powerful computational resources, tools, and a community of experts.
Most of our users will join GeoLab through one of the EarthScope Short Courses or other specific hosted workshops. However, if you have come across GeoLab through some other way and are part of the geophysics or other Earth science communities and want to join GeoLab, please follow the instructions below which will guide you through the onboarding process and gain access to GeoLab.
There are a few steps you'll need to follow in order to be approved for accessing GeoLab.
First, you'll need to register for an EarthScope User account. Visit our EarthScope User Management account page to sign up and/or view your existing User profile. More detailed instructions for creating an account can also be found at the following link: ES User account creation
Second, fill out this short Requesting GeoLab Access form to provide us with the necessary credentials and information to grant you access to the hub.
More detailed instructions for this step can be found here.
Once you get an Earthscope-approved profile, you can sign on through the Jupyterhub portal. The portal will take you to a sign-on page, asking you to sign in with your email or a Google address.
The Choose Your Server option lets you select a computing environment tailored to your needs, ensuring you have the right resources for your projects.
When selecting a server for your JupyterHub environment, it's important to choose one that meets your computational needs without overcommitting resources. Below are the available server options along with their specifications and recommended use cases.
The Shared Small server is a multi-user environment where resources are shared among several users. This is the recommended option for most users, especially for those starting out or working on less intensive tasks. Use Cases
- Initial development and testing
- Educational purposes
- Light to moderate data analysis
The Small server is a dedicated environment with more robust resources. This option is suitable for users who need more computational power and memory for their projects. It ensures that you have consistent access to the allocated resources without competition from other users. Use Cases
- More intensive data analysis and processing
- Running medium-sized machine learning models
- Projects requiring higher memory capacity
The Medium server provides a balanced environment with significant computational power and memory, making it ideal for more demanding tasks. This option is perfect for users who require a substantial amount of resources for their work but do not need the highest available tier.
- Large-scale data analysis and processing
- Running large machine learning models and simulations
- Projects involving substantial datasets and computational workloads
To request a larger server, please contact an administrator
In JupyterHub, selecting the appropriate image is crucial for ensuring you have the necessary tools and libraries for your tasks. Geolab is currently set up with 2 default images, GeoLab and MsPASS.
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GeoLab: This image is designed for students and researchers. It includes pre-installed tools and libraries commonly used in geophysical studies.
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MsPASS: This curated image is specifically prepared for the MsPASS short course.
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Custom Images: Custom images can be created upon request. If you have specific requirements or need particular software setups, please get in touch with the administration to discuss your needs and have a custom image prepared for you.
After selecting your appropriate image, you will be prompted with a loading screen. Please be aware that this process may take a few minutes.
Once the loading process is complete, you will be prompted with a Jupyter Notebook interface. If you encounter any issues, double-check that you have selected the correct image. If problems persist, please contact an administrator for assistance.
Open a Terminal and run this code to check if you are in the right image:
Check image:
printenv | grep IMAGE
If on the wrong image skip to step 5 to restart and select the correct image
Once you are in the JupyterHub environment, take some time to familiarize yourself with the interface and available tools. Here are a few steps to get you started:
Explore the Environment:
- Spend a few minutes navigating through the JupyterHub interface to understand where different features and options are located.
Check Out the /shared Drive:
- The /shared drive contains additional documentation and introductory notebooks that can help you get up to speed with the tools and workflows available in JupyterHub.
- Review these resources to enhance your understanding and make the most out of your JupyterHub experience.
Respect the Hub:
- Be mindful of the resources you are using and ensure you are not overloading the system.
- Properly shut down your server when you are done to conserve resources and maintain system efficiency.
When you have finished your work, it is important to properly shut down your server. This helps to conserve resources and maintain system efficiency. To shut down the server:



