UTIG RESEARCH PROJECTS ARCHIVE

A Study of the Feasibility, Logistics and Cost of Establishing a Broadband Seismographic Network in Texas

Principal Investigators: Jay Pulliam and Cliff Frohlich

Funded by: Texas Division of Emergency Management

The monitoring of seismic activity in Texas and studies of seismic risk are hampered by the small number of seismographic stations operating in the state. While earthquakes have not been a major danger to Texans historically, earthquakes do occur here and in neighboring regions. With the population of Texas expanding rapidly, the potential for injury to people and damage to structures increases proportionately. To be effective, attempts to assess potential risk must be based on long-term monitoring of seismic activity, so for accurate assessments tomorrow we must take steps today to ensure that adequate monitoring is performed. This requires that a seismographic network be established.

While it is not practical to install a standard, state-of-the-art seismographic network in Texas, it may be possible to build an adequate network by using newly available equipment and working in an education/outreach mode with Texas high schools. We propose to carry out a study of the feasibility, including the costs, logistical requirements and benefits associated with installing seismographs in Texas high schools and enlisting the aid of science teachers to help with data collection and station maintainance. In turn, data and curriculum projects would be made available to the science teachers, which they could incorporate into Earth science teaching units. Such an approach would serve several purposes simultaneously, including monitoring earthquake hazards in Texas, providing hands-on projects to introduce students to Earth science with data collected literally in their own backyards, and would serve as an added resource for basic research in Earth science. The approach to seismic monitoring we propose would minimize the cost associated with collecting the needed data. Outreach by science professionals to high school students has been identified by educators as an important aid to bolstering the competence of high school students in math and science.

This map of Texas shows the broadband seismographic stations currently operating in Texas. If you are aware of additional stations, please contact Jay Pulliam (jay@ig.utexas.edu) so we can include them.