Assessment of Data Quality for the Alaska Geophysical Network
Description:
One of the Alaska Earthquake Center’s (AEC) core missions is to monitor geophysical events and conditions in the state of Alaska. These events are typically unique, unpredictable, and unrepeatable, so detecting and characterizing these requires AEC to maximize its continuous, real-time geophysical monitoring throughout Alaska. AEC maintains 255 geophysical stations, referred to as the Alaska Geophysical Network (AGN). The environments around Alaska are varied and often create harsh conditions. Maintaining AEC’s monitoring capabilities requires constant vigilance to detect, investigate, and troubleshoot problems at stations, and properly document the issues to support short-term repairs and improve the overall network resilience in the long term. Data quality control (QC) at AEC includes established protocols for seismic as well as non-seismic data (meteorological, infrasound, GNSS). We define “QC” broadly as quantitative data that help assess the performance of stations. QC metrics are derived from the raw data and state-of-health channels and the EarthScope MUSTANG website. This includes data on the overall station health (data completeness, clock quality, latency), as well as data specific to individual channels (broadband, strong-motion, weather, infrasound). Standardized QC reports are produced bi-weekly and include percent availability, gaps, and amplitude-related metrics.
In preparation for the next field season, we have conducted a network-wide assessment of the quality of broadband data based on analysis of sensor mass positions and site noise characteristics. Analysis of regional and temporal trends in mass positions of broadband sensors allows us to identify sites with chronic instability issues. Analysis of noise characteristics based on PDF metrics allows us to identify general regional trends and outliers. Additionally, we apply amplitude-based strong motion metrics to identify malfunctioning strong motion sensors. We aim to use this analysis for targeted recommendations for field maintenance that may include sensor replacements and/or improvement to sensor housing.
Session: Network Seismology: Recent Developments, Challenges and Lessons Learned [Poster Session]
Type: Poster
Date: 5/1/2024
Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)
Presenting Author: Heather
Student Presenter: No
Invited Presentation:
Authors
Heather McFarlin Presenting Author Corresponding Author hlmcfarlin@alaska.edu Alaska Earthquake Center |
Natalia Ruppert naruppert@alaska.edu Alaska Earthquake Center |
Nathaniel Murphy nwmurphy@alaska.edu Alaska Earthquake Center |
Stephen Holtkamp sgholtkamp@alaska.edu Alaska Earthquake Center |
Joanne Heslop jheslop@alaska.edu Alaska Earthquake Center |
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Assessment of Data Quality for the Alaska Geophysical Network
Session
Network Seismology: Recent Developments, Challenges and Lessons Learned