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Science Communication, Outreach, and Community Engagement in Harmony With Real-Time Network Operations

Description: 

Prior to 2010, Oklahoma experienced approximately 2 M3.0 or greater earthquakes per year. That background rate of earthquakes rapidly increased so that 579 and 903 M3.0 or greater earthquakes occurred in 2014 and 2015, respectively. A broad consensus in the scientific community of the causal link between deep wastewater disposal near the Precambrian basement led to regulatory actions, which, in combination with a market decline, drastically reduced seismicity. In the last several years, some earthquakes (sometimes M3.0+) have been triggered by hydraulic fracturing. Though out of greater than 3,000 completions we found only a small percentage (<5%) of well stimulations produced an earthquake on the state network. Subsequent to mitigating actions taken by regulators and industry, the seismicity rate was down to 15 earthquakes of M3.0 or greater in calendar year 2022. While we continually improve the technology behind the scientific products, such as with implementation of machine-learning, we have strived to address and continually improve public education and community outreach to all Oklahomans. These efforts include informational literature that is distributed during public events and available online. We have made a concerted effort to get professionals into classrooms and public libraries for dynamic demonstrations, showcasing pathways for academic careers and engaging the public with accessible and relevant science. The demonstrations are often coupled with an installation of a Raspberry Shake in both rural and urban schools and other educational institutions such as libraries and museums. In addition, we have produced four professional-grade public service announcements targeted at different grade levels that highlight preferred safety procedures: “Drop, Cover, Hold On.” We plan to discuss lessons-learned and best-practices from our experience and perspective as the state agency responsible for the public dissemination of earthquake alerts and information. A real-time network coupled with effective science communication showcases a roadmap, where stakeholders can work quickly to mitigate earthquake activity.

Session: Network Seismology: Recent Developments, Challenges and Lessons Learned [Poster]

Type: Poster

Date: 4/20/2023

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Fernando Ferrer

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Authors