Type of data

Type of data

Data description

Epos-France Seismological Data Center (SDC) distributes waveforms data (time series produced by seismometers that record ground motion at the station) and associated metadata (including instrument responses, instrument coordinates, …) from permanent stations located in France including Overseas Regions and Territories, from the global GEOSCOPE network and from temporary networks (SISMOB).

Waveform data is available in two forms:

  • continuous waveforms from broad-band, short period, or accelerometric stations with a sampling frequency from 1 to 1000 Hz, depending on the instrument.
  • triggered waveforms from broad-band and accelerometric stations before 2008.

Epos-France data is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. See our dedicated page for more details.

Data formats

miniSEED

According to the standards of the FDSN (International Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks), data is archived and available in miniSEED format (see: Seed Manual, Standard for Earthquake Exchange Data, data only), mainly using the dataselect and timeseries webservices.

miniSEED data is  identified by standardized codes for networks (groups of stations), stations (groups of channels), location and channels. This information is present in the file header.

  • network code: a 1 or 2-character code identifying the network/owner of the data (e.g., G, FR).
  • station code: a 1 to 5-character identifier for the station recording the data (e.g., ECH, RUSF);
  • location code: a 2-character code used to uniquely identify different data streams at a single station (often, 00);
  • channel code: a 3-character combination used to identify the 1) band and general sample rate 2) the instrument type and 3) the orientation of the sensor (e.g., HHZ, HHE, HNZ, HNE). More information about channel codes on IRIS website.

Other data formats: PH5, SAC, Ascii

Some temporary specific datasets are archived in the format PH5 (HDF5) and can be downloaded in this format via our synchronization service. Archived data in PH5 is furthermore downloadable directly in miniseed format, using the ph5-dataselect web service.

Nota bene: there is currently no direct way to find out the format in which a station’s data is archived using the web station service (and hence to define the service that will obtain it).

Also, waveforms can be downloaded in both SAC and ASCII derived format using the timeseries web service.

Raw data versus validated data

The raw data from the permanent networks are first collected in near real time and distributed immediately as miniSEED raw data (R or D quality flag in the data header) through seedlink protocol and dataselect and timeseries web services.

Validated data from permanent networks is also available in miniSEED (M or Q quality flag in the data header) after a delay ranging from five days to several months, depending on the sophistication of the validation process. Validated data and their metadata are produced by Epos-France partner nodes. More information on validated data and data quality at Epos-France.

Raw data from Epos-France SDC temporary networks are collected in real or delayed time and are only available in their miniSEED validated version (M or Q quality flag), with timeframes ranging from one week after collection (embargoed data) to 3 years (open data after the embargo period). Data from temporary networks under embargo are available as miniSEED data (M) after authentication through the dataselect or ph5-dataselect web services. More on validation and data quality

Please note that raw data are no longer accessible as soon as the corresponding “validated” version is available at the data center.

Open versus restricted data

Data from temporary networks whose access is initially restricted shall be released no later than three years after the start of the campaign. More information about Epos-France restricted data and networks.

Access to the data of a restricted network is subject to the agreement of the principal investigator of the campaign. You can make such a request using the form available on this portal.

Pre-assembled data

Epos-France SDC distributes two specific datasets: the historical and validated collections of the Permanent Accelerometric Network (1995-2013) and of the Alpine network SISMALP (1989-2009). More information on pre-assembled datasets.

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