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Seismic Monitoring System Calibration Using Ground Truth Database--Multimax,
Inc., 1441 McCormick Drive, Largo, MD 20774-5323; 301-925-8222
Dr. W. Winston Chan, Principal Investigator
Dr. W. Winston Chan, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82837
Amount: $749,558
Precise location and high confidence identification of regional seismic events are the primary objectives of research required for seismic monitoring of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). However, calibration of a monitoring system is a major issue in CTBT verification. Due to the lack of ground truth information and uncertainties in regional geological parameters, rapid and accurate identification of suspicious events is currently not feasible. This project will develop a systematic compilation and analysis scheme for ground truth information using sets of geophysical data assembled from China as a test case. In Phase I, a data product consisting of ground-truth information for central China was delivered to Los Alamos National Laboratory for integration with the DOE's knowledge base of ground truth information. For the first time, regional data consisting of seismic arrival phase picks, geological maps, and travel time models have been made available and assembled in a standard format. A tomographic inversion for three-dimensional velocity models was developed to allow travel time correction of surface calculations. The Phase II project will expand this effort into providing a comprehensive database for all China. Additionally, digital waveform data from the Chinese Digital Seismic Network will be analyzed along with data from the regional digital seismic networks. Tomographic inversion will be performed to obtain regional three-dimensional velocity models for calculation of travel time correction surfaces.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The ground truth database for China will be very useful to the DOE and other researchers for monitoring the CTBT. Similar research products could also be used by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for nuclear reactor site design; the Federal Highway Administration for bridge and highway designs; and engineering firms for earthquake safety fabrication design. International insurance firms could use the product to aid in calculating the insurance risk in China related to earthquakes and other natural disasters.