Global Seismographic Network (GSN)

The IRIS Global Seismographic Network (GSN) is one of the four major components of the IRIS Consortium. The goal of the GSN is to deploy over 128 permanent seismic recording stations uniformly over the earth's surface. The GSN provides funding to two network operators:

The GSN is governed by a standing committee made up of seismologists from IRIS member institutions. (The charges to the GSN are available for review.)

As of 2003 the IRIS GSN was made up of over 128 stations with affiliations to USGS, UCSD/IDA, GEOFON, Pacific21, NCDSN, GEOSCOPE, MedNet, BGR, BFO, USNSN, BDSN, TriNet, AFTAC and several other national and international networks. Eight new stations are planned for completion in 2003-2005.

The IRIS GSN stations continuously record seismic data from very broad band seismometers at 20 samples per second, and to provide for high-frequency (40 sps) and strong-motion (1 and 100 sps) sensors where scientifically warranted. It is also the goal of the GSN to provide for real-time access to its data via Internet or satellite. Over 75% of the IRIS GSN stations meet this goal.

Data available from GSN stations (SeismiQuery)
GSN Maps
Instrumentation: Specifications, Committee Reports and Evaluation Results

         Review of the Global Seismographic Network  (164K Word doc)
         Global Seismic Network Design Goals Update 2002  (156K pdf)

         GSN Datalogger Specifications, 11/2003 (11.51 Mb pdf)

The following evaluations were performed under a very controlled environment utilizing specialized equipment and were designed to thoroughly test all aspects of the proto-type digitizer capabilities. Several of these tests, if performed incorrectly, or if taken beyond the manufacturer's specified performance parameters may damage the digitizers or degrade their performance or life span. These are NOT intended to be acceptance testing procedures for production units.

         Sandia Report: Evaluation of Quanterra Q330HR High Resolution DAS for IRIS/GSN, 6/6/06 (1.6 Mb pdf)
         Sandia Report: Evaluation of Refraction Technology RT130-GSN High Resolution DAS for IRIS/GSN,
         6/6/06 (1.5 Mb pdf)

Harvard Seismology Project: Recent Noise Levels at GSN Stations
Information about the Hawaii 2 Observatory

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