Strong Motion Earthquake Data Values of Digitized Strong-Motion Accelerograms, 1933-1994 (Superseded Version)

Accelerograph image of the Imperial Valley Aftershock May 19, 1940 at El Centro, California.

The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information decommissioned the Strong Motion Earthquake Data Values of Digitized Strong-Motion Accelerograms, 1933-1994 on May 05, 2025 with no further updates. Upon termination, the underlying data will be available from https://doi.org/10.25921/4ac6-8z18. Comments and questions may be sent to: ncei.info@noaa.gov. Note this metadata record is accompanied by another newer version of metadata for the same product. The Strong Motion Earthquake Data Values of Digitized Strong-Motion Accelerograms is a database of over 15,000 digitized and processed accelerograph records from 1933 to 1994. Data were obtained from a variety of structural and geologic environments. Most of the data are available in three levels of processed files. The first type of file contains raw (uncorrected) time, history data points digitized from the analog accelerogram. The second is a filtered, instrument corrected version of the time, history data. This file also contains calculated velocities and displacements obtained by the integration and double integration of the corrected accelerations. The third type of file includes the calculated Fourier and response spectra data. The data are from the United States, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, El Salvador, Fiji, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. This database is static and is no longer being updated.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: US National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS) (2025). Strong Motion Earthquake Data Values of Digitized Strong-Motion Accelerograms, 1933-1994 (NCEI Accession 0303927). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/4ac6-8z18. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

doi:10.25921/4ac6-8z18
NCEI Metadata ID: gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.hazards:G01145

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.hazards:G01145

XML


Download Data	Complete NCEI Earthquake Strong Motion Database Excel Spreadsheet (download) Direct file download link for NGDC's Strong Motion Earthquake database. Volume 1: California records for 1933-1988, Montana, Nevada, and Washington records (download) Download link for Volume 1: California records for 1933-1988, Montana, Nevada, and Washington records. These data were originally available on a three-volume CD collection. The contents of each volume are available for download. Volume 2: California records for 1989-1994 and all other non-California USA records (download) Download link for Volume 2: California records for 1989-1994 and all other non-California USA records. These data were originally available on a three-volume CD collection. The contents of each volume are available for download. Volume 3: Non-USA records (download) Download link for Volume 3: Non-USA records. These data were originally available on a three-volume CD collection. The contents of each volume are available for download. NCEI Dataset Landing Page (download) Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.
Distribution Formats	Originator data format
Ordering Instructions	Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov


Time Period	1933-03-11 to 1994-01-17
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West:-178. East:178. South:-45. North:62.
Spatial Coverage Map


General Documentation	NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.


Publication Dates	publication: 1996-04-13
Data Presentation Form	Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status	Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency	Not planned - There are no plans to update the data in this collection.
Purpose	Provide strong motion earthquake data for engineering research


Dataset Citation	Cite as: US National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS) (2025). Strong Motion Earthquake Data Values of Digitized Strong-Motion Accelerograms, 1933-1994 (NCEI Accession 0303927). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/4ac6-8z18. Accessed [date].
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information


Theme keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Earth Science > Solid Earth > Seismology > Earthquake Dynamics Earth Science > Solid Earth > Seismology > Earthquake Occurrences
Data Center keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Instrument keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords Accelerographs Accelerometers Digitizer
Place keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Global
Project keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System


Use Constraints	Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints	Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Other Constraints	Cite as: US National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS) (2025). Strong Motion Earthquake Data Values of Digitized Strong-Motion Accelerograms, 1933-1994 (NCEI Accession 0303927). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/4ac6-8z18. Accessed [date].
Fees	In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Lineage information for:dataset
Lineage Statement	The database was started in the 1970s. The purpose was to provide access to raw and processed earthquake strong motion data to earthquake engineers.
Processor	DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Processing Steps	2025-05-05T00:00:00Z -The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information decommissioned the Strong Motion Earthquake Data Values of Digitized Strong-Motion Accelerograms, 1933-1994 on May 05, 2025 with no further updates. Upon termination, the underlying data will be available from https://doi.org/10.25921/4ac6-8z18. Comments and questions may be sent to: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Lineage information for:repository
Processing Steps	2015-04-22T00:00:00 -NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.

Last Modified: 2025-05-08

For questions about the information on this page, please email:ncei.info@noaa.gov