Nevada Seismological Laboratory

University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, 89557

Data Access and Distribution Policy: DRAFT 3/26/03

Prepared by Ken Smith and John Anderson

This policy addresses issues related to distribution of seismic data collected by the Nevada Seismological Laboratory.

We recognize two distinct issues. The first one is the policy itself of what data is available and conditions for its use. The second issue relates to the mechanism of providing that data. The first is a policy and the second is a process that requires some amount of resources.

Data will be supplied to the public in two basic modes. Some data, such as earthquake locations, is distributed freely on the web through the Nevada Seismological Laboratory web site: www.seismo.unr.edu.

The second mode is the distribution of data directly to “clients” by a mechanism outside of the public web site. Small, one-time requests received by the Nevada Seismological Laboratory are handled in an appropriate manner without unreasonable delays. Many of these are handled as a public service, and are consistent with our mission to be a source of reliable information to the general public on earthquake-related matters in Nevada. Requests from other researchers for sharing of data gathered under special experiments also fall into this category. This mode is also includes continuous streaming, typically over the internet, of seismic waveforms in real time. Up until this time, continuous data streaming has been primarily used for data exchange with other seismic research organizations.

The motivation for this policy is the anticipation of major requests for continuous streaming of seismic waveforms from a more diverse range of organizations including private industry. This data will be distributed upon the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will a) describe a basic understanding of the data and it’s appropriate use, and b) address the issue of costs incurred by the Nevada Seismological Laboratory and the University of Nevada in order to supply this data. A standard agreement can be developed that will apply in most cases.

Suggested Policy:

1. With exceptions below, all time-series data, either in real-time or from archives, developed from instrumentation funded with public resources and/or collected with federal funds, is available to the public. Recognizing that the data itself is collected at public expense, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory will only seek to recover the actual costs incurred in redistribution.

2.Data and data sources relevant to national security are excepted.

3. Data collected in private structures will be considered public, unless the agreement with the building owner requires other arrangements (private party conditions, typically related to liability). Relevant access to data from “owners” with regard to liability issues should be negotiated at the time of the installation of the instrumentation. Our default agreement is that all data is available to the general public without limit.

4. The Seismological Laboratory may also be involved in instrumentation of structures with funding from private parties, with the data considered private, when the director certifies that a public purpose is served.

5. In the case of national security and private party conditions, access to the data must be approved by the relevant agency or owner that has provided or funded the source of the information.

6. Any data provided to outside users, whether in the form of a real-time data stream or from an archive, will be documented and the users will agree to conditions on the use of and redistribution of that data. Users agree to document the source of the data, either UNR or otherwise (or multiple sources), in all reports, publications and presentations. Users are also requested to notify UNR of any redistribution of that data, including a statistical summary of the extent of redistribution and the name of the individual or third party institutions receiving that data.

7. UNR makes no claims as to the quality of real-time data. Real-time data must be accepted “as is” and are not qualified in any way.

8. UNR is not liable for the use of the data in any outside enterprise; all liabilities are the responsibility of the user.

9. UNR does not guarantee that its real-time data or archive data is available on a 24/7 continuous basis. The availability of real-time data is dependent on a number of conditions (computer performance, whether the public Internet is functional, availability of personnel to reestablish connections and repair communications hardware and computers, etc.) that are either not under the control of UNR, are not priorities of the Seismology Lab personnel (no funding or support), or require additional outside source to address. Data will be made available as time and resources permit.