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NCEI/WDS Natural Hazards Image Database

browse graphicTsunami carried boat associated with the February 2010 Maule, Chile Earthquake and Tsunami.
Photographs and other visual media provide valuable pre- and post-event data for natural hazards. Research, mitigation, and forecasting rely on visual data for post-analysis, inundation mapping and historic records. Instrumental data only reveal a portion of the whole story; photographs explicitly illustrate the physical and societal impacts from an event. This resource provides high-resolution geologic and damage photographs from natural hazards events, including earthquakes, tsunamis, slides, volcanic eruptions and geologic movement (faults, creep, subsidence and flows). The earliest images date back to 1867. Each event also links to NCEI's Global Historical hazards databases, which provide details for these events.
  • Cite as: National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS). 2012: NCEI/WDS Natural Hazards Image Database. First. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5154F01. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.ngdc:Hazard_Images_Database
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Search Data
Distribution Formats
  • TIF
    • File Specification: Tagged Image File Format (TIFF).
  • JPG
    • File Specification: Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG).
Ordering InstructionsContact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
DistributorNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Hazards Data Manager
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
haz.info@noaa.gov
Time Period1867 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
N: 90
S: -90
E: 180
W: -180
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Data Stewardship Maturity Report for NCEI/WDS Natural Hazards Image Database
  • NCEI/WDS Global Historical Tsunami Database, 2100 BC to Present
  • NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database, 2150 BC to Present
  • NCEI/WDS Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, 4360 BC to Present
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2012-02-01
EditionFirst
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress StatusOngoing - data is continually being updated
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency Irregular - Additions as new data are received.
PurposeTo make damage images available for research and education.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS). 2012: NCEI/WDS Natural Hazards Image Database. First. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5154F01. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
  • National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS)
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments
  • Heather McCullough
Theme keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Tectonics > Earthquakes
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Tectonics > Volcanic Activity
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Tectonic Landforms > Faults
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomorphic Landforms/Processes
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomorphic Landforms/Processes > Tectonic Processes > Subduction
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Tsunamis
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Seiches
  • Earth Science > Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Tsunamis
  • Earth Science > Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Landslides
  • Earth Science > Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Land Subsidence
  • Earth Science > Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Earthquakes
  • Earth Science > Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Volcanic Eruptions
  • Earth Science > Human Dimensions > Infrastructure
Data Center keywordsGlobal 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
Place keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global Land
  • Geographic Region > Global Ocean
Project keywordsGlobal 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.
  • Access to this dataset is unrestricted.
Other ConstraintsCite as: National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS). 2012: NCEI/WDS Natural Hazards Image Database. First. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5154F01. 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 StatementThe first images were probably collected in the 1970s. It is one of the oldest collections at National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC). Photographs showing the effects of natural hazards increase awareness and are useful for education.
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Source Datasets
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: 2022-02-03
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov