Assessing the nation’s earthquakes : the health and future of regional seismograph networks

This book assesses the 50 regional seismic networks funded by various federal, state, and private sources that operate autonomously in the United States. Most have aging equipment and suffer from declining sources of operating funds. Yet, they provide valuable scientific data as well as information about seismicity and earthquakes around their locales. The volume describes the advent of the new National Seismic Network, operated by the U.S. Geological Survey. The National Seismic Network provides a unique opportunity to integrate the regional networks with the national network. This system will preserve the valuable work of the regional networks and enhance the capabilities of the national network. ASSESSING THE NATION'S EARTHQUAKES Copyright Preface Contents Executive Summary 1Introduction and Background 2 Contributions to Date of Regional Seismic Networks 3 Problems and Constraints OBSOLETE INSTRUMENTATION DATA-HANDLING DIFFICULTIES OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES ARE REGIONAL NETWORKS COST-EFFECTIVE? 4 The Need for Regional Seismic Networks CASE STUDY: THE 1987 WHITTIER NARROWS EARTHQUAKE IN THE LOS ANGELES METROPOLITAN AREA, CALIFORNIA CASE STUDY: THE 1986 PAINESVILLE EARTHQUAKE IN NORTHEASTERN OHIO 5 The U.S. National Seismic Network DESIGN OBJECTIVES STATION CHARACTERISTICS DATA TRANSMISSION DATA PROCESSING INTERFACE WITH NATIONAL AND REGIONAL STATIONS 6 The Future: A National Seismic System ADVANTAGES OF A NATIONAL SEISMIC SYSTEM CURRENT AND PROJECTED COSTS OF A NATIONAL SEISMIC SYSTEM 7 Findings and Recommendations References APPENDIXES Appendix A Survey of Regional Seismic Networks Appendix B Interagency Agreement Between the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the United States Geological� ELEMENTS OF AGREEMENT:Appendix C A Revitalization of Regional Seismic Networks: Implementation Strategies INTRODUCTION REGIONAL NETWORKS�CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS THE U.S. NATIONAL SEISMIC NETWORK NATIONAL-REGIONAL NETWORK INTERACTIONS DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR REGIONAL NETWORKS RECOMMENDATIONS USNSN Deployment Implementation Experiment Hardware Development Software Development Funding Strategy