USArray, which is part of the EarthScope experiment, is a 15-year program to place a dense network of permanent and portable seismographs across the continental United States. The seismographs record the energy released by earth movements – from the rumbling of cars on the highway to the seismic waves released by the hundreds of earthquakes that occur around the world every day.

By analyzing the records of earthquakes obtained from this dense grid of seismometers, scientists can learn about Earth structure and dynamics and the physical processes controlling earthquakes and volcanoes.

The USArray facility consists of four major components:

1. A Transportable Array of 400 broadband seismometers is being deployed in a uniform, rolling, 70-km grid.

2. A Flexible Array of 291 broadband stations, 120 short period stations, and 1700 active-source stations permits high-resolution studies within the broader-spaced Transportable Array, allowing a range of specific targets to be addressed in a focused manner.

4. A Magnetotelluric Facility of seven permanent and 20 portable sensors, installed in conjunction with USArray seismic instrumentation, records naturally occurring electric and magnetic fields.

Current station locations Check on the current status of the USArray stations.

NEWS The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $500,000 to the Arizona Geological Survey and its partners at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona to adopt eight Transportable Array stations in the state. The data recorded by the stations will be used to update Arizona's earthquake risk assessment. This is the first time that the emergency management sector has provided financial support for the Adopt-A-Site program. Read more about the acquisition on the IRIS News page. News Archive

Host a seismic station
The monumental task of placing thousands of seismometers across the U.S. is made possible by the generosity of landowners who give permission to place an instrument on their property. Are you interested in hosting a seismic station?

Did the earth move?
Find out how much the ground shook near you by going to the USArray Station Monitor.

Recent earthquakes

EarthScope is a partnership extending throughout the Earth science community, including more than 100 universities, the National Science Foundation, US Geological Survey, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Energy, regional seismic networks and state geological surveys.