HPWREN provides seismologists with improved data collection and distribution methodsSan Diego 24 January 2001 The US Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics is taking real-time data collection and distribution one step farther with the NSF-funded High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network. The centre, that specialises in the development and testing of improved real-time seismic data, recently started to create, demonstrate, and evaluate the HPWREN, a prototype network that will allow field scientists to send and receive continuous real-time data from remote research stations.
Today's seismologists can view activity from the Earth's interior as it occurs,
enabling scientists from around the world to gain extensive insight into the often elusive patterns of seismic waves.
However, current seismic research techniques only allow researchers to look at rather broad datasets,
which is not always enough information to determine the exact cause and effect of an earthquake.
"HPWREN enables researchers like myself and others to collect and distribute datasets that we wouldn't have access to otherwise," Vernon from the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics says. "For example, current monitoring systems do not have enough station coverage for understanding the detailed three-dimensional fault structure of the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults. HPWREN's availability in hard-to-reach areas provides us with the ability to do more detailed studies of fault zone structure and seismic wave activity, which in turn will provide seismologists around the world with more accurate data."
Concentrating his research on the San Jacinto fault zone, Vernon will use the HPWREN in conjunction with the ANZA Broadband Seismic Network, a 24-bit broadband real-time telemetry network in southern California.
The ANZA Seismic Network is a 15-station, digitally telemetered broadband array that straddles the San Jacinto fault zone from the Buck Ridge fault in the south to the Hot Springs fault at the north end. Equipment consists of Streckeisen STS-2 seismometers with Reftek 24-bit broadband digitizers linked to the central multiplexing and relay site on Toro Peak in the Santa Rosa mountains.
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