National Archive of Marine Seismic Surveys Web Portal Provides Public Access to US Exclusive Economic Zone Marine Seismic Surveys

Abstract

Seismic reflection data collected within the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) represent a scientific resource with inestimable value. The US Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), provide unrestricted public access to seismic data acquired since 1975 through the National Archive of Marine Seismic Surveys (NAMSS) portal. This map‐searchable web portal provides access to over 1,100 two‐ and three‐dimensional (2D, 3D) marine seismic data sets collected by the USGS and by the offshore resource industry. The industry data sets are released by BOEM under The Code of Federal Regulations 30 CFR Parts 551 and 580, allowing for the release of seismic reflection data after the completed 25‐year proprietary term from the issuance of the Geological and Geophysical (G&G) permit. The web portal provides tools to filter and identify surveys within the US EEZ and navigation and shapefiles can be downloaded with each survey. Seismic data sets downloaded from NAMSS have been instrumental in numerous scientific investigations along the US EEZ. These include studies focused on offshore marine geohazards, such as fault systems and submarine landslides, as well as gas hydrates and other geologic processes. Acquisition of such data sets, especially pneumatic‐sourced surveys, is becoming progressively more difficult due to environmental concerns and associated costs, thus preservation and public access to such high‐quality data sets is critical to maintaining the ability to conduct offshore seismic reflection scientific research along the US EEZ.