← Back to Sessions

Seismic Monitoring During Crises at the NEIC in Support of the ANSS

Session: Network Seismology: Keeping the Network Running While Integrating New Technologies I

Type: Oral

Date: 4/22/2021

Presentation Time: 10:00 AM Pacific

Description: 

Over the past two decades, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) has overcome many operational challenges. These range from minor disruptions, such as power outages, to significant operational changes including system reconfiguration to handle unique earthquake sequences and the need to handle distributed work during a pandemic. Our ability to overcome crises is built on the development and implementation of a Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP), well-designed infrastructure, adaptive software systems, experienced staff, and extensive collaboration. The NEIC benefits from contributions of U.S. and international seismic networks. Likewise, the overall resilience of earthquake monitoring in the U.S. and around the globe benefits from NEIC’s role as the National Center for the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). Here we highlight significant adaptations the NEIC has made in the face of crises. First, we discuss the COVID-19 pandemic which represents the most significant operational crisis to impact the NEIC. The NEIC has maintained continuous operations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by shifting from a fully on-site operations center to a distributed hybrid of on-site and telework staffing. Second, we discuss cases where the NEIC has supported regional monitoring in the face of a significant crisis. In 2018, the NEIC assisted the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory with the Kīlauea volcano eruption by responding to large events, implementing contingency monitoring procedures, and calculating moment magnitudes for the low-frequency caldera collapses. Following the 2017 Hurricane Maria, the NEIC, the USGS National Strong Motion Program, and the USGS Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory worked with the Puerto Rico Seismic Network and the Puerto Rico Strong-Motion program to assess, plan, and implement upgrades at sites that experienced storm damage.

Presenting Author: Paul S. Earle

Student Presenter: No

Authors