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NetQuakes Project
Netquakes instruments are seismographs designed to be easily installed in the urban environment and
to record moderate to strong earthquake shaking for hazard mitigation purposes.
These instruments are specially designed to be easly installed in private homes or small businesses and
communicate their data when triggered via existing Internet (WiFi or cable) to the PNSN.
The USGS and PNSN are cooperating
to located these instruments in several urban areas including the greater Seattle area.
Requests for volunteers to host instruments at their own home or business have been very successful in
Seattle and other places around the country but expanding the area covered means more volunteers in
specific areas will be needed in the future.
As such needs develop we will open up the application process again.
We will also update this web page with our progress as the installed base increases and plans are developed.
Status as of July 15, 2010
Thus far 32 Netquakes instruments have been installed in the greater Seattle area which
is near the number to be installed with the current number of instruments available This
Seattle Area map shows the locations of all but two
(located in Yakima and Ocean Shores) of the current instruments. There
have been several glitches,
both hardware and software with this first round of installations meaning that revisits and
replacements have taken some of the time of our installation team and that we need to
retain several instruments in the lab for testing and possible replacements. Another round of instruments
is expected to be made available by the USGS over the next couple of months allowing for an expansion
into the Tacoma, Olympia and perhaps, Portland, OR areas.
Status as of Apr 1, 2010
For the past six weeks we have been installing one or two Netquakes boxes per week and now
have 18 Netquakes instruments installed. Unfortunately some devices have had technical problems
requiring repeat visits and in two cases instrument replacements. This has slowed down the
planned installation schedule. Also, some basic problems were found with a design issue which
may require some instruments to be sent back to the manufacuture for repair.
Extensive bench testing has recently be done to isolate those instruments
yet to be installed with serious problems.
The current installed map shows that many instruments right in
Seattle have been installed and we are starting to move to areas farther from the UW.
Status as of Jan. 2010
Of the more than 860 completed applications received from the web forms by December 26, 2009 we
have chosen 60 sites to be in the high priority catagory due to their location with respect to other stations
and geological and cultural conditions. There also were a number of sites that we will almost certainly
not be able to use, primarily because they are near and on the same geology as existing realtime seismographs.
There was a large group of sites that may be of interest in the future either because some of our top sites
do not pan out or if we get more instruments to install. E-mail has now been sent to all applicants with
a valid e-mail address. In a few cases this e-mail has bounced or been rejected by a spam filter
(such filters should be set to accept e-mail from people in the ess.washington.edu domain or you will
not ever hear from us). If you filled out an application and have NOT heard from us then we did not have
a good working e-mail address for use in making contact. With so many applications we can not
contact people by telephone for routine information. Those who have heard that they are in the
high priority catagory will be contacted specifically in mid to late January to arrange a site visit
and possible installation. In some cases we may determine at the last minute that these sites will not
be appropriate. Once a few of these are installed we will set up web pages where data can be viewed.
All participants should be assured that we will protect your e-mail addresses, street addresses and all
personal information so that none if it will be available through our web pages. Station locations will
only be indicated on such pages as approximate.
Background
Earthquakes release energy across a wide spectrum of amplitudes and frequencies. Unlike traditional
seismographs, strong-motion
sensors (such as NetQuakes) are designed to accurately record the strong ground motions
that shake our built environment.
Such recordings can help to quickly estimate damage potential immediately following large earthquakes
and to help engineers analyze and design structures to better withstand future strong shaking.
A wide distribution of Netquakes instruments will greatly help with both of these goals.
We have more detailed information on general types and uses of
Strong Motion seismographs.
NetQuakes Siting Requirements
We would like to find instument sites in small (1-2 story) buildings (no deep basement)
of less than ~4000 sq. feet. Sites within a half mile of business districts are highly desirable.
We need less than a 2ft. by 2ft. square area on a concrete floor at or
near grade (for example a garage or daylight basement) on which the seismograph can be bolted.
The site should be safe from accidental disturbance, near an A/C power outlet and an Internet connection
should be available (nearby wired plug or within range of a WiFi router).
Very little internet bandwith is used since NetQuakes
sends only once-an-hour, short State of Health messages and
longer data files only after a significant earthquake.
We may be able to provide a wireless router if you currently only have
wired connections in your home or business network.
There is a map of
proposed new sites showing general areas in which we are particularly
interested. Here is a
map of existing
strong-motion sites
which shows areas in which we are less likely to put new instruments.
However, neither of these maps are absolute. There may be good reasons to use sites other than those
in which we currently have particular interest or even sites near existing instruments.
Responsibilities of being a NetQuakes host
Help us find a suitable, location in your building for the NetQuakes seismograph.
Provide A/C power (less than 5 watts) and access to existing internet (wired or WiFi).
Provide access for our technicians on rare occasions and at your convenience.
Do rare, minor adjustments such as power cycle or reboot when asked.
Agree to and sign an agreement to protect you and the PNSN from disputes
(Draft example agreement)
Other information
Hosting Netquakes - flyer" - Two pages PDF information sheet
Main USGS NetQuakes page - Details about the project, particularly in California.
Frequently Asked Questions about NetQuakes
Map
of Current PNSN Strong-Motion Sensor distribution
in the greater Seattle area.
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