Reference Network

Components > Reference Network

Overview | Transportable Array | Flexible Array
Reference Network | Magnetotelluric Facility

A key element of the EarthScope seismic observation system is a dispersed permanent network that provides a long-term reference frame for comparison of observations made with the denser, but transient, Transportable Array as it crosses the country. This Reference Network was developed in close collaboration with the USGS as an augmentation to the backbone component of the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). EarthScope contributed the installation and upgrading of 39 stations (completed September 30, 2006) to the ANSS Backbone, which now consists of more than 70 stations, at approximately 300-km spacing, across the conterminous United States and 10 stations in Alaska. EarthScope and IRIS are exploring ways to work with regional operators and the USGS to fill some gaps in coverage that continue to exist, especially in the north-central United States.

Each of the reference stations includes broadband sensors capable of recording seismic waveforms, from long-period surface waves to high-frequency body phases, for use in studies of structure from the lithosphere to the core. A subset of the stations are equipped with ultra-long-period sensors, extending instrument response to thousands of seconds, making them capable of capturing Earth's free oscillations excited by the largest earthquakes. Data from these stations are transmitted in real time to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, CO to support their mission of national and global earthquake monitoring. These data, along with those from all other ANSS Backbone stations, are then transmitted to the IRIS Data Management Center (DMC) for archiving and distribution. To ensure that the reference framework was available early in the development of EarthScope, installation of the USArray permanent stations was completed in September 2006. Responsibility for operating and maintaining these permanent stations has been transferred to the USGS.

Reference Network Map

TOP

HIGHLIGHTS

Current Status

Get Data

Instrumentation

Inside Science
Example of imaging achieved using data gathered by the Reference Network.

EarthScope is a partnership extending throughout the Earth science community, including more than 100 universities, the National Science Foundation, US Geological Survey, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Energy, regional seismic networks and state geological surveys.



			Components > Reference Network Overview \| Transportable Array \| Flexible Array Reference Network \| Magnetotelluric Facility A key element of the EarthScope seismic observation system is a dispersed permanent network that provides a long-term reference frame for comparison of observations made with the denser, but transient, Transportable Array as it crosses the country. This Reference Network was developed in close collaboration with the USGS as an augmentation to the backbone component of the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). EarthScope contributed the installation and upgrading of 39 stations (completed September 30, 2006) to the ANSS Backbone, which now consists of more than 70 stations, at approximately 300-km spacing, across the conterminous United States and 10 stations in Alaska. EarthScope and IRIS are exploring ways to work with regional operators and the USGS to fill some gaps in coverage that continue to exist, especially in the north-central United States. Each of the reference stations includes broadband sensors capable of recording seismic waveforms, from long-period surface waves to high-frequency body phases, for use in studies of structure from the lithosphere to the core. A subset of the stations are equipped with ultra-long-period sensors, extending instrument response to thousands of seconds, making them capable of capturing Earth's free oscillations excited by the largest earthquakes. Data from these stations are transmitted in real time to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, CO to support their mission of national and global earthquake monitoring. These data, along with those from all other ANSS Backbone stations, are then transmitted to the IRIS Data Management Center (DMC) for archiving and distribution. To ensure that the reference framework was available early in the development of EarthScope, installation of the USArray permanent stations was completed in September 2006. Responsibility for operating and maintaining these permanent stations has been transferred to the USGS. Reference Network Map TOP				HIGHLIGHTS Current Status Get Data Instrumentation Inside Science Example of imaging achieved using data gathered by the Reference Network.

			EarthScope is a partnership extending throughout the Earth science community, including more than 100 universities, the National Science Foundation, US Geological Survey, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Energy, regional seismic networks and state geological surveys.