The Antarctic Seismic Data Library System for Cooperative Research (SDLS) was created in April 1991 under the auspices of SCAR to provide open access to all multichannel seismic reflection (MCS) data collected south of 60° S.
The SDLS functions under the mandates of the Antarctic Treaty (ATCM XVI-12), and as such, all institutions that collect MCS data in Antarctica must submit their data to the SDLS for use in cooperative research projects. MCS data are submitted to the SDLS within 4 years of collection and remain in the library under SDLS guidelines until 8 years after collection. Thereafter, the data are available for unrestricted use, although recognition of the data collector is requested.
The MCS data in the SDLS may be accessed at library branches worldwide. MCS data are supplied to SDLS branches in a 'final stack' version in digital SEG-Y format on CD/DVD-ROM where they can be viewed and studied, but may not be copied without permission of the data collector. The SDLS is a research facility and not a data bank; MCS data in the SDLS are for use in cooperative research projects, and may not be used for commercial purposes.
The SDLS has also created a website and is populating it with the unrestricted MCS data in the library.