Comparison of free geophysics software

This is a list of free and open-source software for geophysical data processing and interpretation. The list is split into broad categories, depending on the intended use of the software and its scope of functions.

Notice that 'free and open source' requires that the source code is available. Simple being 'free of charge' is not sufficient—see gratis versus libre. The reader interested in freeware (just free of charge) software is referred to the list of freeware geophysics software.

Reflection seismic processing packages

These are full-featured reflection seismology processing packages, with support for modeling, imaging, and inversion. They are relatively low-level and in some cases have their own data formats and involve learning an extensive syntax or meta-language.

Name	Description	Originator	License	Platforms	Language	Notes
Madagascar[1]	Multidimensional data analysis including seismic processing	Sergey Fomel and others	GPL	Cross-platform	C, C++, Python	Programming Interfaces to Fortran 77, Fortran 90, Python, Java, MATLAB, Julia.
FreeUSP[2]	Seismic processing	Amoco, BP	Custom	Unix, Linux	Fortran 77, C
FreeDDS[3]	Seismic processing	Amoco, BP	Custom	Unix, Linux	Fortran 77, C	Generic format (SEGY, SU, SEPlib, USP)
PSEIS-OSS[4]	Parallel seismic processing	Randy Selzler	GPL	Unix, Linux	Fortran 77, C	Generic format (SEGY, SU, SEPlib, USP, Madagascar)
CWP/SU (Seismic Un*x)[5]	Seismic processing	Stanford, Colorado School of Mines	BSD-style	Unix, Linux, OS X, Cygwin 32	C, some Fortran 77	World's most widely used (82 countries and territories).
CPSeis[6]	Seismic processing	ConocoPhillips	MIT	Cross-platform	Fortran 90, C++
SPARC[7]	Seismic processing	ARCO	GPL	Cray	Fortran
SEPlib[8]	Seismic processing	Stanford University	Custom	Cross-platform	Fortran, C
GeBR[9]	Seismic processing	Various contributors, Brazil	GPL	Linux	C	Interfaces with SU, Madagascar, etc.
OpenSeaSeis[10]	Seismic processing	Bjorn Olofsson, now property of the Colorado School of Mines	BSD-style	Linux, Windows, OS X	C, C++, Java	Interfaces with SU data. Reads most common SEGY and a subset of SEGD formats.

Reflection seismic processing utilities

These packages offer some subset of functionality of the full processing packages in the previous section.

Name	Description	Originator	License	Platforms	Language	Notes
BotoSeis[11]	Seismic processing	Williams Lima, Brazil	GPL	Cross-platform	Java	Workflow builder; interfaces with SU, Madagascar, etc.
Delivery[12]	Bayesian inversion	CSIRO	GPL, BSD-style	Cross-platform	Java
GSEGYView[13]	Display SEG-Y files	Vladimir Bashkardin	GPL	Cross-platform	Fortran, C
GPLib++[14]	Seismic and magnetotelluric processing	Max Moorkamp, Dublin Inst. Adv. Studies	GPL	Unix, Linux	C++
JavaSeis[15]	Pre-stack seismic I/O	ARCO	CPL	Cross-platform	Java
kogeo[16]	Geophysical analysis and visualization	University of Hamburg	GPL	Windows	C++
Mines JTK[17]	Signal processing and display	Dave Hale, Colorado School of Mines	CPL	Cross-platform	Java
JRG[18]	Modeling and basic processing	John Louie, University of Nevada	Custom	Cross-platform	Java
Jive3D[19]	Modeling and tomographic inversion	James Hobro, University of Cambridge	Custom	Unix, Linux	Fortran	GMT and other libraries
PySIT[20]	Imaging and inversion	Russell Hewett & Laurent Demanet, MIT	BSD 3-clause	Unix, Linux	Python
SegDSee[21]	Display SEG-D and SEG-B files	Sergey Pavlukhin	Custom	Cross-platform	C++, Qt
Segpy[22]	Read and write SEG-Y files	Rob Smallshire, Thomas Mejer Hansen	LGPL	Cross-platform	Python	Fork of defunct SegyPY
segy-py[23]	Read SEG-Y files	Kurt Schwehr, Google	Custom	Cross-platform	Python	Various FOSS packages
SeismiGraphix[24]	Read and view SEG-Y, SEG-D, Seismic Unix and Javaseis. View and remap headers	Abel Surace	Custom	Cross-platform	Java
SIOSEIS[25]	Seismic reflection and refraction processing	Paul Henkart, SIO	BSD	Cross-platform	gfortran, gcc
SLIMpy[26]	Processing front end	Felix Herrmann, Univ. of British Columbia	LGPL	Cross-platform	Python	Interfaces with SU, Madagascar, etc.
WaveletExtractor[27]	Well-ties	CSIRO	GPL, BSD-style	Cross-platform	Java

Nonreflection seismic processing utilities

Name	Description	Originator	License	Platforms	Language	Notes
Fatiando a Terra[28]	Geophysical modeling and inversion	Leonardo Uieda et al.	BSD	Cross-platform	Python	Uses Numpy and Cython
ObsPy[29]	Seismology toolbox	Moritz Beyreuther et al.	LGPL	Cross-platform	Python	Uses Numpy and Cython
PAMGUARD[30]	Passive acoustic monitoring for marine mammals	Multiple workers	GPL	Linux, Windows, OS X	Java	Plug-in-able
PyGMI[31]	3D interpretation and modelling of magnetic and gravity data	Patrick Cole	GPL	Cross-platform	Python
SCEC Broadband Platform[32]	Ground Motion Simulation	SCEC Community Modeling Environment	Apache 2	Linux	Python, C, Fortran	Uses Numpy and SciPy
Sesarray[33]	Signal processing for ambient vibrations	Joseph Fourier University, University of Potsdam	GPL	Linux, Windows, OS X	C, C++	Includes geopsy (signal processing) & dinver (inversion)
Seismic Handler[34]	Signal processing for earthquakes	SZGRF	GPL	Linux, Solaris	C, Python
SimPEG[35]	Simulation and Parameter Estimation in Geophysics	Rowan Cockett et al.	MIT	Cross-platform	Python	Uses Numpy and SciPy
STK[36]	Signal processing for earthquakes	Dominique Reymond	GPL	Unix, Linux, Windows	C
TauP[37]	Travel-time & ray-path calculation	University of South Carolina	GPL	Cross-platform	Java
smartRefract[38]	Refraction seismic interpretation	Simone Pittaluga	GPL	Cross-platform	Java	Based on GRM (Palmer)

Visualization, interpretation, analysis packages

Name	Description	Originator	License	Platforms	Language	Notes
OpendTect[39]	Geoscience interpretation and visualization	dGB Earth Sciences	GPL or custom	Cross-platform	C++	Interfaces with Petrel, Madagascar, GMT, Google Earth/Maps
GeoTriple for Oil&Gas Exploration[40]	Geoscience data management, display and analysis	Geoforge project	LGPL	Cross-platform	Java	Interfaces with WorldWind
GeoCraft[41]	Geophysical analysis and visualization	ConocoPhillips	MIT	Cross-platform	Java
qiWorkBench[42]	Geophysical interpretation and visualization	BHP Billiton Petroleum	GPL, BSD	Cross-platform	Java
Generic Mapping Tools[43]	Map generation and analysis	Lamont-Doherty and University of Hawaii	GPL	Cross-platform	C	Implemented in OpendTect
ParaViewGeo[44]	Geoscience extension of ParaView	Kitware ParaView, MIRARCO	BSD	Cross-platform	C++, Python	Oriented towards mining
GI[45]	Geophysical interpretation and visualization		GPL	Cross-platform	C++, Qt	Alpha version

Not true free and open-source projects

The following projects are not free and open-source. They have unknown licensing, licenses which place some restriction on use or redistribution, or depend on non-open-source software like MATLAB, and thus do not meet the Open Source Definition from the Open Source Initiative. (For example, the license may rule out use by certain people or for certain purposes, e.g., in a commercial context.) They are included here because they may be of interest for those in an academic environment or access to tools like MATLAB.

Name	Description	Originator	License	Platforms	Language	Notes
GeoFEST[46]	Fault and terrain visualization	Greg Lyzenga & Jay Parker, Jet Propulsion Laboratory	Unclear	Unix, Linux	C	Hosted by Open Channel Foundation[47]
MSLT[48]	Finite element stress-strain modeling	Peggy Li & Herb Siegel, Jet Propulsion Laboratory	Unclear	Unix, Linux, OS X	C
GeoSeis[49]	Processing seismic refraction data	Muhammed Celik, Kocaeli University	Freeware	Windows	Visual Basic	Fully free after v. 1.3.8
MARE2DEM[50]	2D Inversion of CSEM and MT Data	Kerry Key, Scripps Institution of Oceanography	Freeware, GNU open source	OS X, Linux, Windows	Fortran	Free to use, needs a valid MATLAB license to build models
GPRSoft Lite[51]	GPR Data Visualization	Geoscanners AB	Freeware	Windows		GSF, DZT, RAD3, DT1, formats supported
GP Workbench[52]	GPR processing	USGS	Unclear	Windows	C++	SU format
Seismic Lab[53]	Seismic processing toolbox	Mauricio Sacchi, University of Alberta	GPL	Cross-platform	MATLAB	Needs MATLAB
CREWES[54]	Seismic processing toolbox	Gary Margrave, University of Calgary	Custom, free for non-commercial use	Cross-platform	MATLAB	Needs MATLAB
SegyMAT[55]	Read and write SEG-Y files	Thomas Mejer Hansen, Univ. of Copenhagen	LGPL	Cross-platform	MATLAB	Needs MATLAB
IMAGE2SEGY[56]	Image converter	Marcel.lí Farran, Institut de Ciències del Mar	Creative Commons	Cross-platform	MATLAB	Needs MATLAB & SegyMAT
SW3D[57]	Seismic processing	Vlastislav Cerveny, Charles University	Unclear
rayinvr[58]	2D traveltime inversion	Colin Zelt, Rice University	Custom, non-commercial use only	Unix, Linux	Fortran 77, C
fast[59]	3D traveltime tomography	Colin Zelt, Rice University	Custom, non-commercial use only	Unix, Linux	Fortran 77, C
passeis[60]	Passive seismic analysis	Haishan Zheng, University of Saskatchewan	Unclear	Cross-platform	MATLAB	Needs MATLAB
seismon[61]	Processing for earthquakes	Stefan Mertl	GPL	Cross-platform	MATLAB	Needs MATLAB
PyShottab[62]	Processing for ocean-bottom seismic	Dalhousie University	Unclear	Cross-platform	Python	Windows binary
IGeoS (formerly SIA)[63]	Geophysical processing and analysis	University of Saskatchewan	Custom, free for non-commercial use	Unix, Linux	C++	Interfaces with SU, GMT
Seizmo[64]	Global seismic analysis	Garrett Euler, Washington University in St. Louis	Unclear	Cross-platform	MATLAB	Octave-compatible

Probably defunct projects

The following projects have seen very little activity for more than a year.

Name	Description	Originator	License	Platforms	Language	Notes
openGPR[65]	GPR processing and interpretation	Mats Schuh	GPL	Linux	Python	No longer in active development
OpenICarre	Integrated interpretation system	IFP
MagIC-Py[66]	Magnetic data processing				Python
geoid[67]	Geological mapping
ART[68]	Ray tracing
GPCPP[69]
Seismic Refraction Tomography[70]			GPL

References

1. "Madagascar". reproducibility.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
2. "FreeUSP Download". freeusp.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
3. "Data Dictionary System: Home". freeusp.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
4. http://pseis.org
5. "CWP". cwp.mines.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
6. "It works!". web.archive.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
7. "Index of /Arco". freeusp.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
8. http://sepwww.stanford.edu
9. "GêBR Project". gebrproject.com. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
10. "CWP". cwp.mines.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
11. "BotoSeis download | SourceForge.net". botoseis.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
12. http://www.csiro.au/products/Delivery.html
13. "gsegyview download | SourceForge.net". sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
14. "GPLIB++: GPLib++ documentation". gplib.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
15. "JavaSeis download | SourceForge.net". javaseis.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
16. "kogeo - a free and open toolkit for 2d/3d seismic data analysis". kogeo.de. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
17. "Dave Hale | mines jtk". inside.mines.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
18. "JRG - Seismic Processing on Any Computer". crack.seismo.unr.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
19. James W. D. Hobro. "Jive3D". bullard.esc.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
20. "PySIT Seismic Imaging Toolbox for Python". pysit.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
21. S.Pavlukhin. "ДМНГ – Программы". dmng.ru. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
22. "GitHub - sixty-north/segpy: A Python package for reading and writing SEG Y files.". github.com. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
23. "Index of /~schwehr/software/seismic-py". vislab-ccom.unh.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
24. "SeismiGraphix".
25. "Seismic processing system SIOSEIS". sioseis.ucsd.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
26. "SLIMpy: SLIMpy". slim.eos.ubc.ca. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
27. http://www.csiro.au/products/WaveletExtractor.html
28. "Fatiando a Terra: modeling and inversion — fatiando 0.4 documentation". fatiando.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
29. "Home · obspy/obspy Wiki · GitHub". github.com. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
30. "PAMGuard | Passive Acoustic Monitoring |PAM Open Source Software - PAMGuard". pamguard.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
31. "Google Project Hosting". code.google.com. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
32. "Broadband Platform - SCECpedia". scec.usc.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
33. "Geopsy home: software applications for ambient vibration techniques". geopsy.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
34. "Seismic Handler". seismic-handler.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
35. 3point Science Inc. "SimPEG". simpeg.xyz. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
36. D Reymond. "STK : Seismic ToolKit written with GTK+". seismic-toolkit.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
37. "USC Seismology - TauP". seis.sc.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
38. "Home". vs30.it. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
39. "OpendTect - Free Open-source Seismic Interpretation Software System". opendtect.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
40. "GeoTriple - Oil&Gas Exploration - About". geoforge.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
41. "GeoCraft Github repository". github.com. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
42. http://qiworkbench.org
43. "Wiki - GMT - GMT — The Generic Mapping Tools". gmt.soest.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
44. "Acfas-Sudbury". paraviewgeo.mirarco.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
45. "GI download | SourceForge.net". sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
46. "GeoFEST". physics.hmc.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
47. "Open Channel Foundation: Welcome". openchannelfoundation.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
48. "Open Channel Foundation: MSLT". openchannelfoundation.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
49. "GeoSeis - Ana Sayfa". geoseis.tr.gg. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
50. "MARE2DEM | Modeling with Adaptively Refined Elements for 2D Electromagnetics". mare2dem.ucsd.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
51. "GPRSoft – Post-Processing GPR Software". geoscanners.com. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
52. "USGS Open-File Report 2006-1365: GP Workbench Manual: Technical Manual, User's Guide, and Software Guide". pubs.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
53. "Signal Analysis and Imaging Group - SeismicLab - Matlab Scripts for Seismic Data Processing". seismic-lab.physics.ualberta.ca. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
54. "CREWES Matlab Toolbox". crewes.org. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
55. "SegyMAT : A Matlab and Octave toolbox for reading and writing SEG-Y formatted files". segymat.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
56. "IMAGE2SEGY". icm.csic.es. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
57. "SW3D". sw3d.mff.cuni.cz. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
58. "RAYINVR". terra.rice.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
59. "FAST". terra.rice.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
60. http://www.geoconvention.org/2009abstracts/151.pdf
61. http://www.stefanmertl.com/science/software/seismon/
62. http://seismic.ocean.dal.ca/utilities/pyShottab/index.html
63. "IGeoS (formerly SIA) geophysical and seismic processing and data analysis". seisweb.usask.ca. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
64. "Project SEIZMO - A Matlab & Octave Toolbox for Earthquake Seismology". epsc.wustl.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
65. "openGPR". opengpr.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
66. "MagIC-Py download | SourceForge.net". magic-py.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
67. "Geoid download | SourceForge.net". geoid.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
68. "Project ART at sourceforge.net". artsystem.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
69. "GeoPhysical Calculation Plus Plus download | SourceForge.net". gpcpp.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
70. "Seismic Refraction Tomography download | SourceForge.net". tomoseis.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2016-06-13.