Researchers creating foundation for Seismic Monitoring Program

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Published:
October 22, 2015

Researchers in UT Austin’s Bureau of Economic Geology are laying the ground work for the TexNet Seismic Monitoring Program, a $4.47 million initiative designed to gather and analyze information about subsurface seismic activity. Thus far, work has focused on four main areas: hardware acquisition, recruitment, collaboration and research.

The project, which brings together representatives from industry, academia, and government, will monitor, locate and catalog seismic activity with magnitudes of 2.0 and larger. Of particular interest to researchers are earthquakes larger than magnitude 3.0 in or near urban areas.

The Bureau is seeking proposals for the hardware and installation of the TexNet seismic monitoring program; that submittal period ends on November 10. In addition, it is recruiting a principal investigator for the Center for Integrated Seismicity Research (CISR), a new research consortium to consist of academic, industry and agency partners. CISR will leverage funding from the State of Texas, accelerate the collection of findings, and integrate research.

A search is also nearing completion for a project manager for the TexNet program; new talent is expected to join the initiative by early January 2016.

CISR is actively seeking industry partners, and hopes to be fully funded and ramped up by early 2016. Meanwhile, TexNet investigators have begun conducting research in scientific and engineering areas that include seismology, geomechanics, reservoir analysis, earthquake engineering, and psychology and communication.

For more, read the press release, and a presentation (PDF) from Dr. Scott W. Tinker, director of the Bureau and State Geologist of Texas, or contact Mark W. Blount, Bureau External Affairs, at 512-471-1509.

map of historical earthquakes in Texas