1. Seismology in developing countries, does it make sense ?
J. Havskov

2. Introduction
University of Bergen has been involved in many seismological network projects, training workshops etc, mostly in developing countries
We have had an international MSc and PhD program in seismology for 20 years training seismologists from many developing countries
We have helped to develop low cost hardware and software

3. Why seismology
High risk countries: They have a real problem with high seismicity, volcanic eruptions and obviously need to know about the risks involved and to be able to advice the public
Low risk countries:
Enhanced knowledge of seismology and other fields in science is always a benefit
Encourage international cooperation
Local knowledge of seismology will help understand problems related to oil exploration, effects of dams, landslides etc

4. Why seismology II
Seismology is just one type of science but it relates to something many people have experienced and there is therefore a need for local ‘experts’ to explain to the public
For volcanic monitoring, it is a simple way of forecasting eruptions

5. Seismic and volcanic activity in many developing countries
Plate boundaries, earthquakes (yellow) and volcanoes (red)

6. Basic seismology Record earthquakes with seismic stations
The main purpose of a seismic network is to:
Record earthquakes with seismic stations
Find the location of the earthquake
Calculate the magnitude of the earthquake
Process and store the data for further scientific analysis

7. Principle behind the inertial seismometer
Seismic sensor
Principle behind the inertial seismometer

8. Seismic sensors Geophone, $ 100 Accelerometer, $3000
Broad band sensor, $15000

9. Geophone recording
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake at 300 km distance

10. Location

11. Magnitude
The simplest way of determining magnitude of a local earthquake is to measure the maximum amplitude (nm) on a displacement seismogram. A more general way is to make the displacement density spectrum of the P or S-waves. The magnitude can be determined from the spectral level.

12. Requirement to run a network
Basic technical skills to physically operate network
Seismological knowledge to process the data and inform the public
Money
People interested in running the network

13. Software
Important to use a free, well tested software that can do all the routine operations required by the network of which the most important is: Local and global locations, calculate common magnitudes, correct for instrument response and store the data in a systematic way.
The software should be able to be used on common computer platforms and use common formats.
Training should be available

14. Equipment
Before buying equipment, make sure main purpose of network is clear and that the funding for installation, operation and training is in place
For a new network, the main purpose will be location and magnitude and there is no need for sophisticated instrumentation, simple and reliable is the main aim
There will often be a push to install a broad band network, however accelerometers might do as well i order to get unclipped data, at a substantial lower price

15. Seismic field recorders
Geosig, ca $2000 with sensor
Nanometrics, ca $ without sensor
SARA ca $2000 with sensor

16. US volcano disaster assistance program

17. Tibet tectonics

18. Tibet project purpose
Build and maintain a seismic network around Lhasa
Locate earthquakes and determine magnitude.
Advise the public about earthquakes occurring in the area.
Advise public authorities on all aspects of the local seismic risk and give general advice on earthquake related problems.
Calculate seismic hazard
Teach basic seismology and geophysics.
Build up a local database for research

19. Tibet station
Seismicity near Lhasa The number of recordings for this period is more than 2128, while 1837 of them fall in the above region. The stations are marked with blue.
A typical installation. The sensor to the left (small gray box), and the digitizer to the right.

20. Tibet monastery with seismic station

21. Lhasa station

22. The Wenchuan earthquake (M8) record by Tibet University

23. The magnitude 5.5 Tibet earthquake of 25 of August, 2004

24. Seismic hazard for Africa
From USGS

25. Uganda
Uganda got a UNESCO grant to build one analog three component analog station in Entebbe, ca 1988.
At this relatively high noise site, only few event could potentially be detected form the seismic area in the rift valley.
For the same money 4 MEQ800 was bought instead, and 3 were installed, one was used as a spare. Local operators took care of the field stations. It was now possible to locate events and calculate magnitude.
This network operated successfully more than 10 years (later with addition of digital stations) by the geological Survey of Uganda.

26. Sudan
Sudan seismicity
Network around Khartoum

27. earthquakes
One of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in Africa (surface wave magnitude Ms = 7.2) on 20 May 1990.
Four days later, two more large earthquakes (Ms = 6.4 and 7.0) occurred about 50 kilometers from the first event
The earthquakes are associated with two fault systems: one east of the Nile with azimuth southeast and one along the Nile Valley with azimuth north-northeast.
The activity alternated between the two fault systems

28. Sudan earthquakes
Data available at the International Seismic Center, ISC

29. Juba Campus Department of Earth Science, Geodynamics Group
Juba Campus

30. Juba Geo-science lab Purpose: Enhance knowledge in geo-science
The Juba geo-science lab will consists of 4 elements
Geology
Meteorology
Seismology
Physics
The lab will have the following functions:
Collect data on a daily basis for meteorology, seismology and physics (UV radiation)
Do teaching in basic geo-science covering all 4 fields
Regular public relation activity
Regular visits of schools
General information of recent earthquakes in the region
Meteorological information

31. Department of Earth Science, Geodynamics Group

32. Nigeria Nigeria’s main objective
To create a database of the seismicity of
Nigeria and neighboring countries
To exchange data with countries
To use collected data for realistic earthquake
hazard assessment
To acquire continuous seismic data
However: No software or training was given from company delivering hardware.

33. Earthquake creation ! School class visit
Small Gulf country gets a turnkey system with broad band stations, high technology.
Local company does all maintenance so network operates well.
Instrument company provides simple software for local earthquakes, but many events are global so they are located inside country, suddenly the country has a lot of seismicity !
Clear example of too little money for
training, compared to instruments.
School class visit

34. Jamaica

35. Venezuela, Cumana
Small local network, mostly free software and some non commercial hardware

36. How it can go wrong Large company delivers network
System installed with licensed software
License runs out, not money for renewal
Not enough local training to take over operation with free software
Lesson: Too much money for too sophisticated equipment and no contract to make sure the data actually comes out the other end finally processed. The customer should have started with the processing-people end and then seen what was needed in terms of equipment. And instrument company might have painted their equipment and automatic processing it bet too rosy.

37. Seismological imperialism
International organization installs one or several seismic station in a country with little seismological expertise, either as a permanent station or a temporary network
Data is transmitted directly to donor country and local access to the data either, nonexistent, offline or unreasonably complicated
If software is provided for local use, it is often quite useless and made to ‘have done the duty’. The result is that local use of the data is very limited.
Lessons learned:
If outside organizations offer to set up a local stations with real time transmission to their organization, make sure the operation includes:
Complete local access to data
A simple way to find and extract out local data
Clear guidelines and training in how to use the data and be able in a simple way of integrating it with possible local data.

38. Regional cooperation
Some countries too small or have too few stations to make reliable locations
Regional cooperation will then help to:
Provide more data
Provide help in operation and processing
Increase the awareness of the value of sharing which often is a problem in developing countries
In some regions, it can be politically difficult to share data and experience.

39. Stations and countries cooperating in seismology in 1993
East African Stations, 1992
Stations and countries cooperating in seismology in 1993
Dindi et al, 1995, SRL 85, 364

40. East African Seismic Network seismicity
PDE 5, EAF 70
Det. threshold 4.6 to 4.0

41. Central America Seismic stations (138) in Central America, May 1998
Alvarenga et al, 1998, SRL 69
Seismic stations (138) in Central America, May 1998

42. Central American seismicity, mb > 4.5, 1992-1997

43. Central America
Main purpose was to improve network operations by making the best of existing infrastructure, set up regional cooperation and provide training.
Limited new station equipment: Three new broad band sensors. One accelerometer to each country.
Training was provided before any installation
Data from all countries collected in one data base
Duration of project: 10 years
Supported by the Norwegian Development Agency

44. Conclusion Seismology benefits:
Gives good training in data collection and processing, we do not run out of earthquakes !
Enhances regional and global cooperation
Can provide useful information to the public
A local seismological data base will make research possible
However, make sure:
There are local people interested
Resources is spent mainly on education and training
Avoid overkill in equipment purchases, upgrade existing equipment if possible