National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS) (2025): Seismicity catalog collection, 2150 BC to 1996 AD [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.981231 (DOI registration in progress)
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Published: 2025-04-29
Abstract:
The Seismicity Catalog Collection is a compilation dataset on over four million earthquakes dating from 2150 BC to 1996 AD from NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center and U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center. The data include information on epicentral time of origin, location, magnitudes, depth and other earthquake-related parameters. This database is static and is no longer being updated. The CD collection was a compilation of all of the earthquake catalogs, both US and non-US, in the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) archive available in 1996. The purpose was to provide users with access to all the seismicity data in one place. Data can be accessed through the GeoVu data access and visualization software included on the CDs. This software allows visualization of pre-computed histograms as well as reformatting of data files to a format specified by the user. Many of the more popular data bases are available in several different formats so the user will not have to reformat large data bases. Files can be formatted for use on IBM PCs, Macs, or UNIX machines. Format information, data dictionary and statistical information are also included. A bibliography of earthquake-related materials at NCEI and the Summary of Earthquake Data Base (KGRD-21) are included on the CD-ROM. NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
This dataset has been archived in the framework of the PANGAEA US data rescue initiative 2025.
Keyword(s):
Earthquake Occurrences; earthquakes; Epicenter; global; gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.hazards:G01318; Hypocenter; Interior & Crust; International Council for Science - World Data System; National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce; National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce; Seismic activity; Seismic monitoring; Seismology; tsunami
Source:
Earthquake CD Collections | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) - pdf from 2025-04-23 [webpage]. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/natural-hazards/tsunamis-earthquakes-volcanoes/earthquakes/cd-collection, Earthquake_CD_Collections_web.pdf (Website decommissioned on May 5, 2025)
National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS); Whitside, Lowell S; Dater, David T; Dunbar, Paula K; Racey, Stewart D; Buhmann, Ronald W; Hittelman, Allen M (1996): Earthquake Seismicity Catalog Volumes 1 & 2. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [2025-04-22], https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazard/data/cdroms/
Additional metadata:
gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.hazards:G01318. G01318.xml
Documentation:
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: Union Pacific Railway Damage from Ground Deformation, Seattle, Washington, Associated with 29 April 1965 Seattle Earthquake. earthquake_1965_railway.jpg
Project(s):
US data rescue initiative 2025 (USDataRescue2025)
Coverage:
Median Latitude: 0.000000 * Median Longitude: 180.000000 * South-bound Latitude: -90.000000 * West-bound Longitude: 180.000000 * North-bound Latitude: 90.000000 * East-bound Longitude: 180.000000
Event(s):
Comment:
Original Distributor: Hazards Data Manager, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, haz.info@noaa.gov
Original Publication Date: 1996-06-15
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Dataset Point of Contact: DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce, ncei.info@noaa.gov
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Time Period: -2150 to 1996-09-30
Dataset Progress Status: Complete - production of the data has been completed. There are no plans to update the data in this collection.
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Supplemental Information: SE-31, New Catalog of Strong Earthquakes in the USSR from Ancient Times through 1977 (1982). NGSDC-4, Reevaluation of Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale for Earthquakes using Distance as SE-35, Documentation of Earthquake Algorithms (1984). KGRD 23, The Natural Hazards Data Resources Directory (NHRAIC Special Publication No. 21) (1990). SE-49, Catalog of Significant Earthquakes, 2150 BC - 1991 AD SE-41, Directory of Seismograph Stations - East Asia (1985)
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Purpose: Environmental and hazard impact studies, Research
Use Limitations: Produced by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.
Parameter(s):
| # | Name | Short Name | Unit | Principal Investigator | Method/Device | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | File content | Content | NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | |||
| 2 | Metadata file | Metadata | NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | CDROM README | ||
| 3 | Text file | TEXT | NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | Volume content | ||
| 4 | Binary Object | Binary | NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | CDROM 1 and 2 | ||
| 5 | Binary Object (File Size) | Binary (Size) | Bytes | NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | CDROM 1 and 2 |
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY-4.0)
Status:
Curation Level: Enhanced curation (CurationLevelC)
Size:
8 data points