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Recent Improvements and Lessons Learned From Processing Ground Motions at the U.S. Geological Survey

Description: 

At the U.S. Geological Survey, we frequently process and analyze ground motions using the software gmprocess and PRISM (Processing and Review Interface for Strong Motion). In doing so, we identify anomalous results and investigate the underlying causes of potentially problematic records. These efforts have demonstrated the need for more rigorous quality control and consistency checks for station metadata. Examples of new consistency checks that we have implemented include: (1) checking for consistency of the individual response stage gains with the overall instrument sensitivity, (2) explicit tracking of the reported input and output units for each response stage to ensure that the result of all response stages yields physically appropriate units, and (3) more extensive checking of data types, e.g., checking that the data type is an integer when the units are reported as counts. We have also compared the processing steps and results between gmprocess and PRISM. These comparisons have led to the development of new features in gmprocess, including: (1) implementation of PRISM’s adaptive baseline correction method, (2) support for velocity and displacement spectra, and (3) full support for all volumes of the Consortium of Organizations for Strong Motion Observation Systems (COSMOS) format. We have recognized the need to track and classify problematic records and metadata. Such a dataset is essential for developing quality control and stress-testing ground motion processing algorithms. To meet this need, we have created a repository to archive problematic records and document the type of problem (e.g., clipping, poor signal-to-noise ratio, incorrectly reported instrument sensitivity, low digitizer resolution). The critical characteristic of the classification system is that each record, whether acceptable or problematic, is manually reviewed.

Session: Modern Waveform Processing and Engineering Datasets - Accessibility, Quality Control, and Metadata - I

Type: Oral

Date: 4/17/2025

Presentation Time: 04:30 PM (local time)

Presenting Author: Eric

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: Yes

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