The World Heat Flow Portal (WHFP) project, a continuation of the World Heat Flow Database (WHDB; 04/2022 – 06/2025), is dedicated to consolidating and enhancing the current research data infrastructure for global terrestrial heat-flow data. This project is designed to provide the geoscientific community with efficient and open access to and utilization of over a century's worth of research and data collection. The project emphasizes the improvement and expansion of the current research data infrastructure and web-based data portal, focusing on increased resilience, interoperability, and user experience. Key initiatives include transitioning the data publication process from the current prototype to a fully semi-automated system, expanding the database with new data types and enhanced metadata standards (esp. for marine heat flow data), and strengthening both front-end and back-end functionalities. These enhancements will include additional API representations, advanced analytical tools, educational resources, and community-driven data and metadata enrichment. A crucial aspect of the WHFP is the integration of marine heat-flow data, bridging the fields of geoscience and oceanography, and establishing standard practices across these disciplines.

The project proposal is currently under evaluation by DFG reviewers, and we look forward to the opportunity to expand and enhance the portal’s capabilities in the coming years.