Report of the review of the Global Seismograph Network Program of the U.S. Geological Survey
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Open-File Report↗
Geology topics
J.R. Filson
Publications and source records attributed to J.R. Filson.
United States National seismograph network
The USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) has planned and is developing a broadband digital seismograph network for the United States. The network will consist of approximately 150 seismograph stations distributed across the contiguous 48 states and across Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Data transmission will be via two-way satellite telemetry from the network sites to a central recording facility at the NEIC in Golden, Colorado. The design goal for the network is the on-scale recording by at least five well-distributed stations of any seismic event of magnitude 2.5 or greater in all areas of the United States except possibly part of Alaska. All event data from the network will be distributed to the scientific community on compact disc with read-only memory (CD-ROM).
Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands↗
Geological hazards programs and research in the USA
Geological hazards have been studied for centuries, but government support of research to lessen their effects is relatively new. This article briefly describes government programs and research underway in the USA that are directed towards reducing losses of life and property from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides. -from Author
Earthquakes & Volcanoes (USGS)↗
Geological hazards programs and research in the U.S.A
Until recently, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and major ground failures in populated regions have been viewed as natural disasters that were unpredictable and producing effects that were unavoidable. research over the past few decades has led to an increased understanding of the effects and causes of geological hazards and to a widening recognition that measures can be taken to reduce their impacts on people and structures. Thus, today, in the U.S.A and elsewhere, formal government programs have been established to study these hazrads, not only to explain and understand the phenomena themselves, but also to provide a basis for warning and mitigation strategies that will reduce losses and suffering.
Earthquakes & Volcanoes (USGS)↗
The role of the Federal government in the Parkfield earthquake prediction experiment
Earthquake prediction research in the United States us carried out under the aegis of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. One of the objectives of the act is "the implementation in all areas of high or moderate seismic risk, of a system (including personnel and procedures) for predicting damaging earthquakes and for identifying, evaluating, and accurately characterizing seismic hazards." Among the four Federal agencies working under the 1977 act, the U.S Geological Survey (USGS) is responsible for earthquake prediction research and technological implementation. The USGS has adopted a goal that is stated quite simply; predict the time, place, and magnitude of damaging earthquakes. The Parkfield earthquake prediction experiment represents the msot concentrated and visible effor to date to test progress toward this goal.
Calfornia↗
Geological hazards: programs and research in the USA
Geological hazards have been studied for centuries, but government support of research to lessen their effects is relatively new. This article briefly describes government programs and research under way in the U.S.A. that are directed towards reducing losses of life and property from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides. -Author
Episodes↗
The U.S. Earthquake Prediction Program
Following on from the concepts of plate tectonics, the earth sciences are now embarking on a challenging course- the time prediction of geologic phenomena. Earthquake prediction is an outstanding example of this. However, earthquake prediction is not the only scientific goal. The destructive power of a large earthquake requires that we also take mitigating actions; these include earthquake engineering research to design construction that will resist earthquake shaking. Nevertheless, earthquake prediction has a vital role to play not only in the saving of lives, but in the reduction of economic loss and social disruption from large earthquakes. There are two distinct motivations for earthquake prediction. The mechanistic approach aims to understand the processes leading to a large earthquake. The empirical approach is governed by the immediate need to protect lives and property. With our current lack of knowledge about the earthquake process, future progress cannot be made without gathering a large body of measurements. These are required not only for the empirical prediction of earthquakes, but also for the testing and development of hypotheses that further our understanding of the processes at work. The earthquake prediction program is basically a program of scientific inquiry, but one which is motivated by social, political, economic, and scientific reasons. It is a pursuit that cannot rely on empirical observations alone nor can it carried out solely on a blackboard or in a laboratory. Experiments must be carried out in the real Earth.
Earthquake Information Bulletin (USGS)↗