State-of-the-art technology for data storage and dissemination

Seismology presents unique challenges in data storage requirements and the need to rapidly access data and disseminate information. This paper will briefly summarize some current technological trends in each of these areas.In general, seismological data sets can vary in size from minute to massive. Seismology is somewhat unique in that, not only can the data volumes be large, there still exists a requirement to recover and manipulate data at the level of individual samples. These competing requirements make data storage solutions more complicated. This paper will review some of the current technologies that exist and how they can be applied to seismological data archives.There exists a need to access data from remote seismological data recorders in real time. Often the telecommunications infrastructure at these remote sites does not exist and this presents unique challenges to operators of seismic networks. This paper will discuss several communication techniques including use of telephone circuits, Internet Service Providers (lSPs), and satellite systems that can be exploited to benefit seismology on local, regional and global scales.New opportunities have emerged that allow easy dissemination of data and information to outside users. This paper will also discuss some of the efforts taking place within the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization and the Federation of Digital Broadband Seismographic Networks in this area.