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Reviewing How the Management and Operation of the Global Seismographic Network Has Evolved, With a Look Into the Future: A Partnership Between the Community, NSF, and the USGS

Description: 

The Global Seismographic Network (GSN) is a state-of-the-art facility consisting of permanent stations around the world with broadband and very broadband seismometers, which provide real-time, continuous, high-quality seismic data, along with ancillary sensors. The GSN has driven forward fundamental research in geophysics and geological hazard monitoring for decades. The network is the result of productive cooperation at the federal level between the National Science Foundation and United States Geological Survey and in management and operations by the EarthScope Consortium, Inc. (formerly IRIS), the USGS Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory (ASL) and UC San Diego’s Project IDA over the last four decades. Continued vigor of the GSN over the last decade has been greatly aided by the contributions of the scientific community through a governance process facilitated by EarthScope and the exceptional diligence of the station operators at ASL and IDA.

Here we summarize EarthScope’s role as NSF facility operator and a science community consortium that provides stakeholder scientists with an up-front seat and input into network operations and potential scope change. Dedicated community governance through the GSN Advisory Committee has promoted collaboration between researchers and network operations, creating opportunities to improve the quality and breadth of observations made by these stations. We also preview the potential future evolution of the GSN, recognizing the need for innovation and continued scientific relevance. We will discuss potential ways to enhance the GSN’s already robust observing capacity, optimize the network distribution through international collaboration, and modernize station design, moving toward higher quality and more complete data, robust operations, and lower operational costs. EarthScope is committed to the continued viability of this unique and high quality global observational network.

Session: Advancing Science With Global Seismological and Geophysical Networks

Type: Oral

Date: 4/18/2023

Presentation Time: 05:30 PM (local time)

Presenting Author: Andrew M. Frassetto

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Authors