Seismic
Introduction
The German marine seismic community seeks to establish a standardized approach for archiving seismic data, covering both raw and processed field data. The primary objective is to comply with the FAIR principles Wilkinson et al. 2016 while ensuring compliance with the EU INSPIRE directive. This initiative aims to systematically archive newly acquired 2D raw seismic reflection data from German research vessels and, to the greatest extent possible, preserve existing legacy data. By implementing this standardization, the archived data will achieve interoperability with various global repositories and portals, such as MGDS, SDLS, SNAP, GeoSeas (see also Diviacco et al., 2015), and SeaDataNet (see also Diviacco et al., 2012).
Standardized content of datasets
Standardized language
To ensure that data adheres to the FAIR principles Wilkinson et al. 2016, it is essential to use a common vocabulat for data description. To enhance data interoperability, PANGAEA utilizes terms of the NERC catalogue for describing seismic data whenever feasible (see also SeaDataNet vocabularies ).
Standardized Authors
The Authorship of (national/German) datasets is currently under review with respect to the Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice of the (German Research Foundation).
On German research vessels, when archiving raw data in PANGAEA, it is common practice to list the chief scientist, the lead scientist on board, and the individual who submits the data as authors. Occasionally, other contributors, such as co-applicants of the research expedition, may also be included, though this is typically an exception.
For processed data, authorship is generally granted to those who have played a significant role in the data processing.
Standardized Title
To enhance the reusability and interoperability of datasets, it is important that metadata for similar datasets—such as 2D multichannel reflection seismic data collected from comparable research missions, vessels, or platforms—adhere to a standardized template and vocabulary.
This uniformity ensures that datasets are consistent and easily comparable. A key aspect of this standardization is the dataset title. PANGAEA has adopted a **construction kit** template for titles of different seismic data, originally developed by the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) for bathymetry data under the Project Underway Research Data.
This template incorporates essential elements such as data type, device, platform type, platform name, cruise identifier, and area. To uphold FAIR standards, PANGAEA encourages data submitters to utilize this template, extending its application beyond German research data to foster global uniformity.
The construction kit is shown below:
Construction kit:
| select data type: | select data level: | select: | of | select platform type: | platform name or project (capital letters): | during cruise | Cruise ID | optional: IHO-IOC GEBCO undersea feature name or other offcial naming | optional: IHO Sea Area (1953), |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2D multichannel seismic reflection | raw data | (entire dataset) | " | RV | https://www.gebco.net/data_and_products/undersea_feature_names/ | https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/29772/1/IHO1953a.pdf | |||
| 2D multichannel seismic reflection | raw data | (working area dataset) | " | RV | |||||
| Continous seismic | (Ocean Bottom Seismometer working area dataset) | " | |||||||
| Seismic | (Ocean Bottom Hydrophone working area dataset) | " | |||||||
| Seismic | (Onshore Seismometer working area dataset) | " | |||||||
| Seismic | - | (Onshore Seismometer working area dataset) | " | project PISAGUA | |||||
| (dataset compilation)
*only for processed data |
" |
Examples:
| 2D multichannel seismic reflection | raw data | (entire dataset) | of | RV | SONNE | during cruise | SO250 | ||
| 2D multichannel seismic reflection | raw data | (working area dataset) | of | RV | MARIA S. MERIAN | during cruise | MSM66 | ,Sardino-Balearic Abyssal Plain | ,Mediterranean Sea |
| 2D multichannel seismic reflection | processed data | (dataset compilation) | of | RV | METEOR & RV MARIA S. MERIAN | during cruise | M74 & MSM66 | ,South Pacific Ocean | |
| Continous seismic | raw data | (Ocean Bottom Seismometer working area dataset) | of | RV | POSEIDON | during cruise | POS515 | Poseidon mud volcano chain, Calabrian Arc | Mediterranean Sea |
| Seismic | (Onshore Seismometer working area dataset) | of | project PISAGUA | Atacama Desert near Taltal | Chile | ||||
| Seismic | processed data | (Ocean Bottom Hydrophone working area dataset) | of | RV | Sonne | during cruise | SO297 | Taltal Ridge | Chile |
Currently, we only distinguish between "raw" and "processed" data. However, in future times, we will distinguish between those three data types:
- RAW data (not touched at all; metadata should include full geometrical setup information) – e.g., a SEG-D file
- Primary data (e.g., including geometrical information in the file itself) – usually a SEG-Y file
- Data product (processed data) – SEG-Y file
This approach, including naming convention, will be introduced and implemented in the standardization process of the various seismic data types.
Standardized Abstract
To enhance the FAIR principles, PANGAEA requires a concise abstract for each dataset. For more details on writing abstracts, please visit PANGAEA Abstract guidelines.
Please note that cruise summary reports or other references should not be cited exclusively in the abstract, as references are also included in the dataset’s metaheader. However, if processed data are submitted to PANGAEA and you wish to credit and cite the original raw data, you may include a statement such as:
"Raw data for this study were published open access (Authors, YYYY)."
If you would like a reference (e.g., paper) to be linked, please inform the data editor. Be sure to provide the full citation in the reference list (e.g., Urlaub, Morelia; Husrin, Semeidi; Kühn, Michel; Papenberg, Cord; Berndt, Janine: Technical Report for Raw 2D MCS Reflection Data, R/V Sonne Cruise 299, Leg 2, Singapore (Singapore) – Port Louis (Mauritius), 15/08/23 – 02/09/23. GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, 8 pp, https://doi.org/10.3289/TR_2D-MCS_so299_2).
Standardized usage of Reference
When processed datasets derived from the same raw dataset are submitted to PANGAEA, they are interrelated through a Reference linkage. PANGAEA reviews archived datasets to identify relationships, establishing Related to or Source relation when appropriate. These relationships are displayed accordingly. For further details, please refer to the (PANGAEA Reference guidelines.
Standardized Coverage
Coverage is an automatic entry into PANGAEA calculated from PANGAEA GEOCODE.
Standardized usage of Parameter (Metadata)
The selection of appropriate PANGAEA parameter for seismic datasets depends on whether raw or processed data are being submitted. This applies to both seismic reflection and refraction data. The chosen parameters will be included in the metadata and added to the data files accordingly.
The following standards of metadata (parameters) have been published or are currently under development:
- Metadata description 2D multichannel seismic reflection raw data
- Berndt, J., Papenberg, C., Damaske, D., Schnabel, M., Berndt, C., Crutchley, G., Huebscher, C., Keil, H., Krastel, S., Kühn, M., Lohrberg, A., Riedel, M., Selke, N., & Weigelt, E. (2025). Metadata description of 2D multichannel seismic reflection raw data (1.0.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14754825
- Metadata description 3D multichannel seismic reflection raw data
- in preparation
- Metadata description ocean bottom seismometer raw data
- in preparation
Your Dataset Submission to PANGAEA
Recent submissions have highlighted the need for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline the submission process and minimize time-consuming discussions.
These SOPs have been developed to make data submission easier for researchers. They provide recommended wording to help meet the expectations and requirements of PANGAEA curators. While the SOPs are suggestions rather than strict rules, they were created in collaboration with the scientific community, including contributors ranging from PhD students to professors.
The following SOPs provide guidance on how to publish the corresponding datasets. Developed in collaboration with scientists, these SOPs reflect the recommended format and standardized vocabulary required for the submission of processed data.
- Berndt, J., Damaske, D., Rehage, M., & Riedel, M. (2026). Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Archiving Legacy Ocean-Bottom Seismometer (OBS) and Ocean-Bottom Hydrophone (OBH) Raw Data at PANGAEA. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19482745
- Berndt, J., Damaske, D., Rehage, M., & Riedel, M. (2026). Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Archiving Legacy Ocean-Bottom Seismometer (OBS) and Ocean-Bottom Hydrophone (OBH) Processed Data at PANGAEA. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19482964
- Berndt, J., Damaske, D., Rehage, M., & Warwel, A. (2026). Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Archiving Legacy Seismic (Onshore Seismometer) Processed Data at PANGAEA. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19482202
Seismic Raw Data
The marine seismic community, in collaboration with data management experts and PANGAEA editors (curators), is actively working to define metadata standards for various types of seismic raw data (from active source).
SOPs for each metadata standard will be published once the corresponding workflows are fully established. As data acquisition methods can vary, multiple SOPs may exist for a single standard to reflect different recording procedures.
Current Status:
Data publication through the Underway Research Data project coordinated by the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) is currently managed by data stewards as part of the development and implementation of these standards and workflows. In the future, however, it is planned to provide additional tools (external) —such as SOPs including Jupyter Notebooks—to enable researchers to independently create the data matrix (data table) for the dataset required for submission to PANGAEA.
The standardization of legacy seismic raw data will be addressed with further details at a later stage. However, as a general guideline, please ensure the following when submitting legacy data:
- Please include the observer log and navigation files in the correct format.
- Please provide links to the cruise report and any relevant publications associated with the dataset.
Following these guidelines will help facilitate the data curation and submission process.
References
Berndt, Janine, Hübscher, Christian, Keil, Hanno, Lehmann, Andreas, & Berndt, Christian. (2023). German Marine Seismic Data Access. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7875451