Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Acquisition of Strong Ground Motion Data in the New Madrid Seismic Zone
Using Novel Instrumentation
Michael E. Kalinski, Ph.D., P.E.
Zhenming Wang, Ph.D., P.E.
Abstract
The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) poses a significant threat as a source of
strong ground motion in the Central and Eastern United States. The area within and
surrounding the NMSZ is surrounded by a number of strong ground motion recording
stations, including many stations operated and managed by the Kentucky Geological
Survey. These stations are instrumented with traditional seismographs, which are
relatively costly. As a result, the number of strong ground motion stations in the NMSZ
is limited. However, efforts are now underway to implement earthquake early warning
systems (EEWS) in the United States, with some systems already functional in the
Western United States. The United States Geological Survey manages these systems
through the ShakeAlert system. The ShakeAlert system is relatively new and is still
undergoing development and improvement, especially in the CEUS where an EEWS
does not yet exist. One of the keys to developing an EEWS is the implementation of a
large number of strong ground motion recording points, but this presents an economic
challenge given the costs associated with traditional instrumentation.
In light of this discussion, we proposed a study to acquire strong ground motion in
the NMSZ using novel instrumentation. We will deploy smartphones and Raspberry
Shake seismometers at locations where KGS is currently operating strong ground motion
stations with traditional recording equipment. The smartphones and Raspberry Shake
instruments will be networked so that when strong ground motion is detected, we will
receive an alert and the data will be recorded and uploaded. We will compare the data
acquired using these instruments to the data recorded using the traditional equipment at
the existing strong ground motion stations. Attributes such as spectral content and
dynamic range will be compared to assess the applicability of the novel instrumentation
for use as seismometers in EEWS in the NMSZ in the future. As a result of this study,
we will acquire a database of strong ground motion that the USGS and others can use to
advance and implement ShakeAlert in the CEUS. This research will also have further
benefit as we continue to work on other projects to bring EEWS developing nations such
as Haiti that are prone to strong ground motion.
Status | Active |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 1/1/22 → 12/31/23 |
Funding
- US Geological Survey: $59,230.00
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