Advanced Studies Institute on Earthquake-Related Data Products 2014

Background Information

Introduction

On August 1-2 in Bogotá, Colombia, IRIS International Development Seismology (IDS) will offer a two-day Advanced Studies Institute (ASI) on Earthquake-Related Data Products. The goal for this ASI is to help network analysts start to become familiar with the software used to analyze broadband seismic data. We will focus on measurement of earthquake features beyond the single-event hypocenters and magnitudes that can be computed from short-period arrival time picks and amplitude measurements. Financial support for the ASI is provided by the National Science Foundation.

The ASI will immediately follow the Managing Data from Seismic Networks workshop organized by IRIS Data Services (DS), and be held in the same hotel.

Scope

A broad range of techniques for processing broadband seismic data offer insights into Earth structure and the rupture process of earthquakes that are not possible using techniques developed for analysis of short period data. This ASI will feature introductions to two techniques that have the potential to be integrated into routine operations of a seismic network center. The ASI offers benefits to participants, who can use these tools to begin providing more complete information about the earthquakes that they are already detecting and locating. 
The lecturers are research seismologists involved in development and use of data processing algorithms to gain new insights into Earth dynamics. Thus, the ASI focuses on scientific questions related to the analysis, careful examination of the results for scientific validity, and interpretation of the output from the processing.

Syllabus

To master material in a very short ASI, each student will join one of two groups and focus on a single technique that is introduced concisely and then put into use during hands-on exercises, with one-on-one guidance promptly available.

Track 1: Multiple Event Relocation

In this track, Dr. Felix Waldhauser will introduce the concept of double-difference methods for high-resolution seismic event location. The HypoDD algorithm will be used together with prepared data sets that include network generated parametric data and high-precision delay-time measurements from correlated seismograms to demonstrate relocation procedures and performance. Lecture material will include strategies for building differential-time networks, waveform cross-correlation, 1D and 3D velocity models for data prediction, regularization and data weighting, relative location error estimation, evaluation of solution robustness, and analysis of results. Approaches for implementing real-time double-difference algorithms in routine seismic monitoring procedures will also be presented. The lecture material will be illustrated with earthquake data from various tectonic settings.

Track 2: Regional Moment Tensors

In this track, Dr. Robert Herrmann will introduce methods for determination of seismic moment tensors using data at regional distances. Using broadband waveform data from regional seismic network stations as well as the GSN, participants will learn techniques for the computation of broadband synthetic seismograms, strategies for the modeling of broadband data to calibrate velocity structure and Green’s functions, and the application of a regional distance complete waveform moment tensor inversion method. Examples will include tectonic/earthquake, geothermal/volcanic, and alpine glacier ice quake cases. Approaches for developing automated regional distance seismic moment tensor capability will also be presented. This track will have participants work on a data set assembled by the participants during the “Managing Data from Seismic Networks” workshop to apply what they have learned about instrument response and correction, process waveform data, and use a complete waveform seismic moment tensor inversion code.

Participation

Participants in the Managing Data from Seismic Networks workshop are eligible to extend their stay for two days to participate in this ASI. As during the workshop, Participants will be asked to share a hotel room with one other participant. Upgrades to a single room are possible, but participants will be responsible for the cost difference, approximately $76 USD/night plus tax. Letters of Invitation will be provided by IRIS, if needed. 
Visas and entry requirements will need to be arranged by the participant.

Financial Support

There will be no registration fee. IRIS will arrange and pay for hotel accommodations. Breakfast and lunch will be provided by IRIS. IRIS will also provide $25 per day for the evening meal and incidental costs such as visas, transportation to and from the airport, etc.

Technical Requirements

Participants must be able to bring their own laptops to the ASI. Laptops are required to meet one of the specifics listed below:

Intel-based CPU dual core processor
2GB RAM, recommended 4GB
100 GB of disk space
A spare USB port
Operating System (one of the following)

MAC OS 10.5 or later
Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8
Linux 2.6.32 kernel or later

Virtual Box for Seiscomp 3 (Virtual Box Image will be prepared)

Ubuntu 12.04 or 14.04 64 bit for Seiscomp 3

Sponsors

International Development Seismology (IDS) and National Science Foundation (NSF).