Antarctic Digital Database

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) ADD is a seamless compilation of topographic data for Antarctica to 60°S. The ADD is the place to view, query and download datasets such as the Antarctic coastline, contours and rock outcrop.

The Mapping and Geographic Information Centre (MAGIC) compiles, manages and distributes the ADD datasets on behalf of SCAGI, the SCAR Standing Committee on Geographic Information.

ADD datasets and data access

Visit the Antarctic Digital Database map viewer to visualise the available data. Data can be downloaded through the data catalogue in GeoPackage or shapefile format.

Coastline and contour datasets are also accessible in the ArcGIS Living Atlas.

The datasets included in the ADD are:

• Coastline, including grounding lines and ice shelf fronts
• Rock outcrop
• Contours
• Lakes
• Moraine
• Streams
• Seamask
• ADD data limit at 60°S

All datasets are in WGS84 Antarctic Polar Stereographic projection, EPSG 3031.

A message regarding changes to the ADD WMS:

We will be retiring the current Web Map Services (WMS) for the ADD effective November 12th 2024.

This will affect all WMS layers currently accessed via the endpoint https://maps.bas.ac.uk/antarctic/wms.

We are publishing replacement services through the Esri Living Atlas of the World, which will be updated with any future data releases. These datasets can easily be accessed in GIS software as ArcGIS feature and/or vector tile layers.

Please see https://www.arcgis.com/home/group.html?id=307a4d4221ca4030aef7477d6a52620f for currently available layers.

We encourage all users to switch to these replacement services by the 12th November.

We will leave these services running until 12th May 2025, supported on a best efforts basis. They may stop working before this end date if needed for operational reasons. They will not be updated with any further data changes.

If you require information or assistance related to ADD web services, please contact magic@bas.ac.uk

Data update schedule

Datasets within the ADD are reviewed on a regular basis, and updated accordingly. Any changes to datasets are released as new versions every 6 months. Where a dataset is not updated within this schedule, the most recent dataset will continue to be used.

Last release: 12th November 2024 – version 7.10.

Planned releases and data updates:

• 12th May 2025

Contributing to the ADD

The ADD is a service to the whole Antarctic science and logistics community, and as such we invite all users of the data to be active participants in improving its quality.   Any inconsistencies can be reported via the web interface (the feedback button in the top navigation bar), or to the Mapping and Geographic Information Centre. Similarly, any new or updated data from users are welcome for potential future inclusion in the ADD. Please also contact us if you have any questions about the ADD generally.

Licensing

Data are made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

When using the data, please refer to the data catalogue for the required citation for each dataset.

1. Antarctic Digital Database – December 2024 update

   Continuous mapping of Antarctica reveals new topographic features In November, we released version 7.10 of the SCAR ADD which included updated coastlines for the Alexander Island region, and new lakes, […]

   Read more of: Antarctic Digital Database – December 2024 update

   

2. Antarctic Digital Database – May 2021 update

   Welcome to the new Antarctic Digital Database (ADD) blog series, updating our users about each update of the datasets in the ADD and about other pieces of work happening in […]

   Read more of: Antarctic Digital Database – May 2021 update

   

1. New interactive map of Antarctica available to all

   Comprehensive digital maps of Antarctica are now available to all, following the latest update of the Antarctic Digital Database.

   Read more of: New interactive map of Antarctica available to all

   

2. BAS mapping data in global collection 

   The latest British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Antarctic Digital Database (ADD) data will be included in a world leading collection of geographic information. 

   Read more of: BAS mapping data in global collection 

   

3. Updated Mapping Datasets for Antarctica

   A newly updated Antarctic Digital Database is released today (12 May 2020). Aimed at the science and logistics communities, the maps include updates to the ice shelf front around Thwaites […]

   Read more of: Updated Mapping Datasets for Antarctica