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Arctic World Archive

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description Arctic World Archive Overview

The Arctic World Archive is a long-term information repository located in a former coal mine near Longyearbyen on Svalbard, Norway. Deposited digital material is encoded onto photosensitive film designed for offline preservation, reducing dependence on continuously powered servers and changing software formats. Governments, cultural institutions, companies, and other organizations use the facility to preserve archival records and culturally significant data in a remote, geologically stable setting.

help Arctic World Archive FAQ

Where is the Arctic World Archive located?

The Arctic World Archive is a secure underground data repository located inside an abandoned coal mine in Svalbard, Norway. It was built deep inside the permafrost on the island of Spitsbergen to ensure natural, long-term cold storage.

What kind of data is stored in the Arctic World Archive?

The repository is designed to preserve irreplaceable digital and historical archives, ranging from classic literature to national cultural heritage and open-source code. Organizations use it to protect vital information from cyberattacks, natural disasters, and digital degradation.

How is data stored in the Arctic World Archive?

Instead of using traditional hard drives, the data in the Arctic World Archive is stored on specialized, long-lasting photosensitive film. This analog storage method ensures the data remains readable for centuries without needing migration or a power source.

Who manages and stores data in the Arctic World Archive?

The Arctic World Archive was founded by a private Norwegian company called Piql, which also manages the storage technology. Clients, including national archives and multinational corporations, pay to have their data converted to film and shipped to the Svalbard vault.

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