NCEDC News/Blog

BK Network data available in SEED format

Categories:   SEED format  |  Berkeley Digital Seismic Network (BDSN, BK)  |  Data Availability  |  Waveform Data  |  Northern Hayward Fault Network (NHFN, BK)  |  Data Holdings

October 4, 1999 

October 4, 1999

As of October 4, 1999, the NCEDC can distribute all data for the entire BK network in SEED format with complete multi-stage instrument responses. This includes all seismic channels (broadband and strong motion), electric and magnetic field channels, and other geophysical channels from temperature and microbarograph sensors. The BK network includes the sparse broadband array known as the Berkeley Digital Seismic Network (BDSN) and the borehole sites of the Northern Hayward Fault (and, as of 2002, the borehole sites of the Mini-Plate Boundary Observatory Project).

Prior to this date, only a subeset of the BK network was available in full SEED format, and the instrument responses for the BDSN stations were described by a single-stage response which were not compatible with evalresp.

Most of the BK data channels are acquired from broadband seismic instruments, strong motion seismic instruments, electric field, or magnetic field sensors, and are described using multi-stage responses that are compatible with IRIS's evalresp program. However, selected channels, such as the temperature channel LKS and microbarograph channel LDS do not have responses can be represented with standard poles and zeros used for seismic sensors. These channels are described with a new POLYNOMIAL blockette which is currently not evalresp compatible.

IRIS has released a new version of RDSEED which will properly generated the response files for these channels, which is available from the IRIS DMC.

You may request BK data in SEED format by any of several methods.

  • You may query the BK data inventory at the NCEDC or generate and submit a NETDC request using the SEED Request form
  • You may send a NETDC request to netdc@ncedc.org.

Note: on November 15, 2001, a new tool was added for querying the inventory of SEED data at the NCEDC.

If you have any problems with the new SEED volumes or SEED instrument responses, please contact us at ncedcinfo@ncedc.org.