Seismic Network Expansion in the Caucasus and Central Asia

In September of 2018, seismologists from the Caucasus and Central Asia met in Tbilisi, Georgia to plan an ambitious expansion of national seismic monitoring networks by deploying additional permanent broadband seismic stations.  The data from the new stations would be openly available to the global scientific community in real time.  Participating organizations from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan partnered with technical collaborators from the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).  Together, the team successfully proposed a multiyear project implemented through the Seismic Targeted Initiative of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in Kazakhstan and the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU).  The multi-year project provides training on best practices and technical support to locate, install, and operate the stations, as well as training on using the real time data to address national seismic monitoring priorities.

Proposed stations for the expanded national seismic networks of Sustainable Seismic Networks in the Caucasus and Central Asia (SNECCA). The majority of these stations will be newly established with a broadband posthole sensor and strong motion sensor or is an existing station that will be upgraded to this configuration.

IRIS serves as a project collaborator, providing technical advice, presentation materials, and consultation to LLNL. Technical assistance is provided through meetings, calls, and documentation on topics including station siting, construction, and installation, as well as drilling, enclosures, and power systems. IRIS also collaborates on databasing station status information, station acceptance testing, on-site construction/installation questions, and reviewing the status of site and central server installations, and participation in regular program reviews. 

Drilling at the GO.DSHG site near Dusheti, Georgia.

Kickoff meeting of the SNECCA project held September 25-27, 2018 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Status meeting of the SNECCA project held May 9-11, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Project participants visiting Kandilli Observatory in Istanbul, Turkey.

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