Oklahoma Geological Survey Regional Network

Date: 4/26/2019

Time: 06:00 PM

Room: Grand Ballroom

The Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS) monitors seismicity throughout the state of Oklahoma utilizing permanent and temporary seismometers installed by OGS and other agencies, while maintaining an earthquake catalog. The OGS seismic network was recently added to ANSS as a self-supporting network and cooperates with USGS in contributing to the ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog. In Oklahoma, prior to 2009 background seismicity rates were about 2 M3.0+ earthquakes per year, which increased to 579 and 903 M3.0+ earthquakes in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The peak in the seismicity rate has since fallen to 624, 304, and 194 M3.0+ earthquakes in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. The catalog is complete down to M2.3 from mid-2014 to present, despite the significant workload for a primarily state-funded regional network. Analysts continue to work backwards to complete the catalog in earlier years, as time allows. Unique challenges associated with being the de-facto earthquake information source include providing regulators, i.e. the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, with earthquake locations and magnitude within minutes of an event so that their “traffic-light” protocol may be effectively applied. Thus, we have an improved local magnitude scale with a Richter attenuation curve tuned to Oklahoma. We have also begun exploring daily matched-filter detection and machine learning methods to improve network operations. In addition, we have begun a citizen-scientist driven, educational seismometer program by installing Raspberry Shake geophones throughout the state at local schools. Educational aspects of that program include teacher-driven curriculum development facilitated during professional development workshops for teachers. Raspberry Shakes to our earthquake information center, and we utilize the data for earthquake locations and research in areas of the state with sparse broadband or short-period seismographs. The future seismic hazard of the state portends a continued need for expansion and densification of seismic monitoring throughout Oklahoma.

Presenting Author: Jacob Walter

Authors