SCAR Report 43 - November 2022 - Seismic Data Library System (SDLS): new structure and guidelines Popular

The Antarctic Seismic Data Library System for Cooperative Research (SDLS) was established and endorsed by SCAR in 1991 and has become the primary host of marine multi-channel seismic (MCS) data around Antarctica. Since then, it has become an almost complete library of MCS data. This cooperative library model of the SDLS has generated many successful collaborations and the exchange of data between scientists of all SCAR countries and beyond.

Technological progress over the last 30 years has changed the way scientific data, including multi-channel seismic, are provided and accessed by the scientific community. This report describes updates to the SDLS organizational structure, guidelines and procedures to keep SDLS in line with these changes and ensure it remains functional in the future.

The key elements of the updated guidelines are:

The overall cooperative model and structure of the SDLS has been successful in the past and is kept in place. The SDLS will continue to operate under the SCAR INStabilities & Thresholds in ANTarctica (INSTANT) programme. The SDLS will continue to be overseen by a three-member Executive Committee which will consist of a representative of the primary operational / technical group (currently OGS), an elected Secretary General / Chair, and a Co-Chair representing the library branches to ensure broader engagement from the library branches.

The timetable for submissions to the SDLS includes the submission of navigation and survey metadata to the SDLS Data Centre as soon as possible after the survey. Stacked or migrated section of the seismic data should be submitted to the Data Centre in SEG-Y format two years after acquisition. After eight years or earlier, the seismic data will be made publicly available through the web portal.

The cost structure has been updated from the previous CD / DVD model to a submission-based structure that consists of a base fee ($1000) plus number of shots ($7.5 per 100 shots) for fully processed, compliant data. This new cost structure and the amounts are necessary to sustain the SDLS Data Centre.

Detailed guidance on submission metadata for surveys, seismic lines, and navigation, as well as for SEG-Y format and headers of the actual data is provided in the appendices.

Previous details of SDLS workshops were published in pdf SCAR Report 9 (610 KB) (August 1992) and pdf SCAR Report 28 (1.03 MB) (December 2006).